“The Rivals of Amziah King” Makes a Sweet Story out of Honey Heists and Revenge

'The Rivals of Amziah King,' directed by Andrew Patterson and starring Matthew McConaughey as an Oklahoma beekeeper turned revenge-seeking Western hero, gets a warm review praising its shift from community-focused vignettes to noir-tinged conflict after honey thieves, backed by Kurt Russell's agricultural tycoon character, target the operation. The reviewer singles out Angelina LookingGlass's performance as Amziah's returning former foster daughter and the film's bluegrass soundtrack, featuring contributions from members of The Avett Brothers.

Shot in Alabama but set in rural Oklahoma, the film is credited with undercutting familiar rural stereotypes even while deploying them, and the review notes Patterson's original cut reportedly won out over a more streamlined studio version.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.