Finch: Film Review
I absolutely love Tom Hanks and will watch any film he’s in and he hardly ever lets me down. His streak continues with Finch, a heartwarming tale about an inventor, his dog, and his robot.
The film is set on a post-apocalyptic Earth where the vast majority of the population and vegetation have been wiped out due to holes in the ozone layer, which makes going outside without protection impossible. The story follows ailing engineer Finch (Hanks) as he is forced to leave his Missouri bunker due to an incoming 40-day storm and drive in a solar-powered RV to San Francisco to find a new home with his beloved dog Goodyear and his new robot Jeff (Caleb Landry Jones) in tow. Jeff, who has just been built to protect Goodyear, learns about life, love, friendship and what it means to be human along the way.
I’ll put my hands up and admit that Finch isn’t anything we haven’t seen before. It feels very familiar, often reminded me of other films and you can predict the ending from a mile away. But despite all that, I loved it. It is charming, engaging and has a lot of heart, while there is enough risk of danger to keep it exciting. I love watching the relationship between Finch and Jeff blossom and seeing Jeff learning how to do human things and understand what certain expressions mean.
Hanks proved he could capably carry a film on his own with 2000’s Cast Away and he does so again effortlessly here as the old, unwell and exhausted Finch. However, he has some extra help this time around and is often upstaged by his robot co-star as Jeff is full of life, wonder, curiosity and excitement. Jones, who also provided the motion-capture performance, successfully brought to life a funny and endearing robot that is the best thing about this movie. His line delivery is excellent and he made me laugh out loud often. Seamus the dog is absolutely adorable and has the sweetest relationship with Hanks.
If you fancy a heartfelt film featuring the ever-lovely Hanks, a super cute dog and a wonderfully funny robot, then Finch is for you.
Streaming on Apple TV+ from Friday 5th November