Emilio Estevez directs and stars alongside Alec Baldwin in The Public, an empathetic story of homelessness and the fight for fairness and survival. Stuart Goodson (brilliantly portrayed by Emilio Estevez), is the spontaneous leader of a group of homeless men who call The Cincinnati Public Library home during the day, and protest for the right for sanctuary within the library during one of the coldest nights of the year. The entire film takes place mainly over one day, and what is at first a harmless survival plan soon spirals out of control into a significantly more hostile and tense situation on screen.
The Public’s premise is genius and has great potential, but Estevez misses the mark of creating a remarkable film. Elements of the plot are often left unresolved, with many arcs often feeling pointless, unsatisfying or, for lack of a better word, foggy. Throughout the film, Estevez sacrifices logic and realism to fit dramatic limitations and attempts to fit too many issues into the main plot.
Taken on face value, however, The Public is everything you’d expect it to be, and often, more. Estevez understands what a compelling story is. It is simultaneously heartbreaking and heart-warming. Some beautifully tense and suspenseful moments had me on the edge of my seat, and Estevez’ comedic flair shines through with hilarious moments that don’t hinder the tone of the film. The Public adopts a gorgeous visual and cinematographic style that is fluid and dynamic. It’s also worth noting that upon conclusion The Public received roaring applause from a packed theatre, so it’s safe to say this film succeeds in winning over its audience.
The Public conveys an important and timely message highlighting a homelessness crisis that is often swept under the rug. Estevez presents this issue uniquely and effectively that isn’t too gimmicky or shallow and subtly explores a relevant theme: the people vs the powerful. The film makes you think about the prevalence of homelessness and just what can be done about it. The performances of the entire cast shine, and the combination of brilliantly sincere acting and rich characters ensure that the message isn’t bombarded to the audience but rather concealed within a good story.
Amelia (16)