Film Review: ‘The Rivals of Amziah King’

“The Rivals of Amziah King” explores the less savory side of the honey industry. In this film, beekeepers compete ruthlessly, stealing from one another and poisoning rivals’ bees. Matthew McConaughey stars as the titular Amziah King, a character with a charming Southern demeanor. The film, written by Andrew Patterson and James Montague, is directed by Patterson.

The film blends multiple genres, creating a mix of elements reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino’s style, a coming-of-age tale, a heist story, a revenge fantasy, and a music-infused country dance. This mix can feel overwhelming, confusing the audience with its abrupt shifts.

In his performance, McConaughey embodies a character who radiates charisma and transforms the atmosphere wherever he appears. His character’s journey begins in rural Oklahoma, where he manages his honey business. However, his story takes a turn when he abruptly exits the narrative halfway through, handing the focus to Angelina LookingGlass in her acting debut.

The plot kicks off with King ordering food in a local diner while playing music with his band. His routine is disrupted when authorities seek his expertise to track a large quantity of honey left by the roadside. The story quickly escalates into chaos with unexpected industrial accidents.

King reestablishes a connection with his former foster daughter, LookingGlass, who possesses a strong and grounded presence. He imparts local wisdom and beekeeping knowledge to her, with bees metaphorically representing community and cooperation.

Cinematographer M.I. Littin-Menz employs varied techniques, including frozen shots, rapid cuts, and serene natural imagery. Together with music supervisor Winslow Bright, these choices create a constantly shifting tone. The film transitions between genres with frequent musical interruptions, courtesy of T Bone Burnett’s Americana tunes. However, these moments are sometimes overshadowed by darker, violent scenes.

Noteworthy performances include Kurt Russell as a cunning local kingpin, and Owen Teague, who portrays a former Marine, adept at orchestrating high-stakes thefts. These characters add depth to the storyline.

While Patterson’s attempts to highlight Oklahoma as a setting are evident, much of the film was filmed in Alabama. This contributes to an overall lack of authenticity, affecting the storyline’s believability.

“The Rivals of Amziah King,” distributed by Black Bear, is set for release on Friday. The movie is rated R for language and graphic content, with a runtime of 130 minutes. The film receives a rating of two out of four stars.