Free State of Jones
STX Entertainment | Release Date: June 24, 2016
7.0
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 136 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
87
Mixed:
35
Negative:
14
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
5
TyranianNov 4, 2019
This film has impressive cinematography and decent acting but fails to deliver an enthralling plot.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
GreatMartinJun 24, 2016
Matthew McConaughey is a powerful actor in a powerful role but “Free State of Jones” is not as powerful a screenplay, by Gary Ross, as it could have, should have been. All the elements are there from the story being based on a not too wellMatthew McConaughey is a powerful actor in a powerful role but “Free State of Jones” is not as powerful a screenplay, by Gary Ross, as it could have, should have been. All the elements are there from the story being based on a not too well known chapter in American history that includes the Civil War, slaves being mistreated by owners, inter-racial lovers, voting rights, KKK attacking, the poor who are fighting the war so the rich can get richer, a band of escaped slaves, a time in the future when a man is put on trial for marrying a white woman because he may be part black and just after that scene the film doesn’t go into the high you would not only expect but want.

The idea of a band of people calling a section of their State, here the Free State of Jones, and how that is done or would work is passed over just as what the slaves and poor white people have in common enough to unite and go against those in charge.

Gary Ross, who also directed the film, tries to stick to the facts of history and, in most cases, stays away from over dramatizing those scenes that might have been more moving, for instance the coupling of white, married Newton Knight (Matthew McConaughey) and black slave Rachel (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) who give birth to a son and, due to reversals in fortune, his wife (Keri Russell), along with his first son, comes to live with them.

McConaughey continues his winning streak of strong characters but here he applies the strength that is only hinted at by the director and writer, while the depth of his relationship with Rachel is helped by the subtle playing of Gugu Mbatha-Raw who, after “Belle” and “Beyond the Lights” should be a huge star. Mahershala Ali, who names himself Moses, starts with a repulsive iron necklace with spears eventually removed by McConaughey, and winds up in one of the most shocking scenes of the film.

The cast, with many speaking parts, is an honest look at all sexes, ages, social strata most of who made up the armies of the Civil War. The swamp, filmed in Louisiana, provides some breath taking scenes.

“Free State of Jones” will show many viewers a part of American history not too well known, contains strong performances but at 140 minutes could have been tightened by eliminating the courtroom scenes that take place in the late 1940s making for a tighter, faster moving and, possibly, allowed some room to add emotional scenes as even most of the death moments offer nothing.… Expand
6 of 7 users found this helpful61
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4
RobBob99Jun 27, 2016
Free State of Jones boasts very good performances from its leads, especially from Mahershala Ali and of course Matthew McConaughey. But even they can't save this film from becoming nothing less than a bloated, boring, and often preachyFree State of Jones boasts very good performances from its leads, especially from Mahershala Ali and of course Matthew McConaughey. But even they can't save this film from becoming nothing less than a bloated, boring, and often preachy history lesson that would serve best as a HBO mini-series.… Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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5
ZachSchellerJun 26, 2016
Boasting excellent performances and terrific production value, Free State of Jones falters on understanding the plot and pacing of it's story. It's built like a narrative, but structured like a documentary.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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5
EpicLadySpongeJun 24, 2016
Just when I thought Free State of Jones was good, I was correctly mistaken when I saw it completely. Might as well pass this one if you can. A movie that adults won't even sit through 30 minutes of one scene. My evidence? Just don't wasteJust when I thought Free State of Jones was good, I was correctly mistaken when I saw it completely. Might as well pass this one if you can. A movie that adults won't even sit through 30 minutes of one scene. My evidence? Just don't waste money on it. Free State of Jones may look promising, but don't let that look fool you. It's a trick to let them know you wasted hours hoping for something to some, but it never came anyways.… Expand
1 of 11 users found this helpful110
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5
bfoore90Jun 28, 2021
Free State of Jones is a period piece that has its moments but doesn't quite pack a punch. This isn't to say that it was a bad film, parts of it were entertaining but the screenplay is so muddled that it presents alot of missed opportunities.Free State of Jones is a period piece that has its moments but doesn't quite pack a punch. This isn't to say that it was a bad film, parts of it were entertaining but the screenplay is so muddled that it presents alot of missed opportunities. Might be worth a watch to some… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
badgerryan19May 19, 2017
This movie had a lot to live up to with the director and the lead of the film. Matthew gives another great performance on this streak he's been on The movie had some really good action scenes as well but in other areas it falters. Some of theThis movie had a lot to live up to with the director and the lead of the film. Matthew gives another great performance on this streak he's been on The movie had some really good action scenes as well but in other areas it falters. Some of the movie is just walking around doing a bunch of nothing and funeral services. Also the part with Newton Knight's grandson shouldn't of been in the movie. But I had some enjoyment out of it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
shiftworkerNov 30, 2016
Matthew McConaughy plays a man with modern values struggling against the forces of Conservatism in the deep South of the US, through the Civil War and into the decades after. A secondary story of discrimination against a descendant in theMatthew McConaughy plays a man with modern values struggling against the forces of Conservatism in the deep South of the US, through the Civil War and into the decades after. A secondary story of discrimination against a descendant in the 1950s is told in small segments. It's engaging, but not fully because the main characters are all too saintly or downright wicked.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Realist_gamerDec 6, 2016
wasn't that bad at all.wanna tell the tales of a white liberal hero who is gonna oppose the existing mentality of people of south.He rebels against the state power and later on somehow against the majority of people who believe in slavery aswasn't that bad at all.wanna tell the tales of a white liberal hero who is gonna oppose the existing mentality of people of south.He rebels against the state power and later on somehow against the majority of people who believe in slavery as their own rights.so he is gonna be the savior of blacks(that happens most often in Hollywood).
Not an extraordinary and outstanding performance by "Matthew McConaughey" but isn't that bad to spoil the whole movie.the only thing that I found interesting was "Mahershala Ali's" performance that was good and needs to be praised,and maybe the only one in "jones county" that got a well-written personality.movie isn't boring at all;it's based on actual events and is somehow encouraging american society to involve in elections and vote by showing that action as a sainted and honorable kind of action.All in all it can't be a bad experience for movie lovers.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
CoKronakanFeb 18, 2018
It's an average movie that depicts the civil war and the racist conflict of that time. But It also disappoints in giving that detailed and immersive experience of both. It focuses more on the main character, witch did have a pretty big impactIt's an average movie that depicts the civil war and the racist conflict of that time. But It also disappoints in giving that detailed and immersive experience of both. It focuses more on the main character, witch did have a pretty big impact on the black society's first step to acceptance, so it is understandable but still not satisfying enough. Sadly the way the story is told is also pretty non-coherent so it's hard to understand everything at first watch. And the movie is simply boring enough not to demand a second viewing.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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