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Palmer

Play trailer 2:06 Poster for Palmer R 2021 1h 51m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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72% Tomatometer 115 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Former high school football star Eddie Palmer (Justin Timberlake) went from hometown hero to convicted felon, earning himself 12 years in a state penitentiary. He returns home to Louisiana, where he moves back in with Vivian (June Squibb), the grandmother who raised him. While trying to keep his head down and rebuild a quiet life for himself, Palmer is haunted by memories of his glory days and the suspicious eyes of his small town community. Things become more complicated when Vivian’s hard-living neighbor Shelly (Juno Temple) disappears on a prolonged bender, leaving her precocious and unique 7-year-old son Sam (Ryder Allen), often the target of bullying, in Palmer’s reluctant care. In time, Palmer is drawn into a more hopeful world as he forges a connection with Sam through their shared experience of being made to feel different by those around them. Life improves for Palmer, and a romance develops between him and Sam’s teacher Maggie (Alisha Wainwright). An inspiring and unexpected journey unfolds for the three of them, but soon Palmer’s past threatens to tear apart this new life.
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Palmer

Palmer

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Critics Consensus

Although it traffics in familiar territory, Palmer is elevated by worthy themes and a strong ensemble led by an impressive Justin Timberlake.

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Audience Says

Palmer is a heartfelt film with a moving message of acceptance and a terrific cast -- and Ryder Allen will make you cry.

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Critics Reviews

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Mark Kermode New Statesman 02/09/2021
Much more affected than I expected...I'd like to see more films starring her. Very well-written. Go to Full Review Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) 02/03/2021
2.5/5
To its credit, the film never jumps to glib conclusions about who Sam is or might become. Nor can I doubt that its heart is in the right place, even if there's a degree of hokey sentimentality in the premise. Go to Full Review Maureen Lee Lenker Entertainment Weekly 02/01/2021
B
A tender, earnest tale of how love and nurturing can truly change lives. Go to Full Review Geoffrey Macnab iNews.co.uk Jan 16
3/5
Timberlake, though, gives one of his best screen performances while Ryder Allen is appealing as the doe-eyed kid, trying hard to make sense off the blundering behaviour of the adults around him and wondering why boys can’t be cheerleaders too. Go to Full Review Sukanya Verma Rediff.com 10/02/2024
In this moving melodrama of unlikely bonds, Justin Timberlake plays a former football star and prisoner starting afresh as a school janitor...it's easy to see where this is going but you just don't mind. Go to Full Review Manuel São Bento MSB Reviews 07/24/2023
A-
A heartwarming, enlightening, emotionally compelling story of redemption and self-acceptance. The wonderful bond between Justin Timberlake and Ryder Allen’s characters is the film’s heart and soul. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rohit S Nov 4 Great watch. The movie grabbed me from the start till the end. Definitely a watch! See more Karel D @KarelDeprez Oct 6 Without a doubt a bit of a tear-jerker. Justin handles it better than expected. See more Hugo Dayan S Aug 19 It broke my heart. One of the best movies I've ever seen, I loved it. See more Mark W Aug 19 one of best movie I've seen in a minute it's so real and raw touches your heart man See more Giovanny N. @giovannyamedinanino Aug 8 Excelente y con temas profundos para pensar. Cuántos niños hoy día son victima de billing, cuántos niños maltratados en hogares donde hay consumo de drogas o casos de abandono. Cada personaje fue intenso. 1000 en evaluación para esta película See more Juan Cleber F Jul 19 I got emotional in certain parts, with good performances, the story seems simple at the beginning, but with an immense depth that makes you think. See more Read all reviews
Palmer

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Cast & Crew

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Fisher Stevens

Director

Justin Timberlake

Eddie Palmer

Juno Temple

Shelly

Alisha Wainwright

Maggie

June Squibb

Vivian

Ryder Allen

Sam

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Palmer

Palmer: Featurette - First Look Palmer: Featurette - First Look 2:06 Palmer: Trailer 1 Palmer: Trailer 1 2:42 View more videos
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Palmer

A scene from "Palmer." Palmer (2021) Palmer (2021) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Former high school football star Eddie Palmer (Justin Timberlake) went from hometown hero to convicted felon, earning himself 12 years in a state penitentiary. He returns home to Louisiana, where he moves back in with Vivian (June Squibb), the grandmother who raised him. While trying to keep his head down and rebuild a quiet life for himself, Palmer is haunted by memories of his glory days and the suspicious eyes of his small town community. Things become more complicated when Vivian’s hard-living neighbor Shelly (Juno Temple) disappears on a prolonged bender, leaving her precocious and unique 7-year-old son Sam (Ryder Allen), often the target of bullying, in Palmer’s reluctant care. In time, Palmer is drawn into a more hopeful world as he forges a connection with Sam through their shared experience of being made to feel different by those around them. Life improves for Palmer, and a romance develops between him and Sam’s teacher Maggie (Alisha Wainwright). An inspiring and unexpected journey unfolds for the three of them, but soon Palmer’s past threatens to tear apart this new life.
Director
Fisher Stevens
Producer
Charlie Corwin, Sidney Kimmel, Daniel Nadler, John Penotti, Charles B. Wessler
Screenwriter
Cheryl Guerriero
Production Co
Rhea Films (II), Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, SK Global, Hercules Film Fund
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content/Nudity|Language|Brief Violence)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 29, 2021
Runtime
1h 51m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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