Film Review: Hillbilly Elegy (USA 2020) by Ron Howard

Content:  In this podcast, we talk about “Hillbilly Elegy” (USA 2020) by director Ron Howard from 2020 based on J.D. Vance's memoir “Hillbilly Elegy”.  The film tells the story of a young man from a poor family in Ohio who, despite difficult family circumstances - in particular a drug-addicted mother - embarks on a successful career path and attends Yale.  We highlight the strong acting performances and emphasizes that the film portrays the reality of a disadvantaged population group in an unembellished way without making explicit social or political commentary.  Finally, we emphasize the film's central message: the American Dream is attainable, even under difficult circumstances.  Plot:  The film is a modern exploration of the American Dream and three generations of a hillbilly family from Ohio. It tells the story of the youngest family member, a Yale law student, who is forced to return to his hometown due to his drug-addicted mother.