The Rivals of Amziah King Is Poetic and Profound

The Rivals of Amziah King reminds of a Biblical riddle. Judges 14:14 reads “out of the eater came something to eat and out of the strong came something sweet.” The only riddle in the Hebrew scripture, the answer pertains to bees making honey in the bones of a lion. Fortunately, The Rivals of Amziah King isn’t quite so enigmatic, but it offers something no less poetic or profound to ponder.

Everything begins with an introduction to the charming honey harvester Amziah King, played by Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar) in a role that fits him like a glove. He belongs to an Oklahoma assortment of delightful misfits living the world’s most laidback lives. When circumstances reunite him with a former foster child, Kateri, portrayed by Angelina LookingGlass in her feature film debut, things couldn’t be better. However, a grim shift in circumstances soon leads to the shadowy side, not only of the bee business, but the very heart of darkness that can beat in every human being.

The film is a rare sort of sunny noir. At the same time, there’s room to call it a western. In fact, thinking about it from the right angle, The Rivals of Amziah King might be a revenge thriller, heist movie, and even a poetic eulogy for the loss of innocence. Occasionally it borders on being a musical.

Penned by director Andrew Patterson, with assistance from his collaborator James Montague, the movie covers an amazing amount of thematic territory. Unlike his previous picture, The Vast of Night (2019), the viewer is presented with something that doesn’t fit neatly into any genre category. That gives the film the freedom to be whatever story it needs depending on the scene, while building to a satisfying payoff narratively and philosophically.

As such, the director composes scenarios that are informative, poetically meaningful, and which ask complex questions. All the while, there aren’t as many easy answers as it may seem. The Rivals of Amziah King is essentially the tapestry of choices made by individuals trying to keep their own communities alive and thriving. Since that basically makes for a look at society, what sets this feature apart from anything that’s asked similar questions is how well Patterson makes room for the viewer to realize everyone is living according to their own rules. In essence, communities create their own narratives to justify individual morality.

Such thematic considerations could easily sting an audience into losing interest. What Patterson has done is assemble a wonderful cast who convey a certain authenticity when it comes to their roles. This is then combined with an excellent narrative that never batters anyone with the points it is trying to make. The Rivals of Amziah King is captivating from the get-go, inspiring a curiosity which compels watchers to stick with it regardless of how deep someone may or may not dive into its layers.

The first hour is basically just getting to know Amziah as well as his business. The second hour delves into the grittier side of the honey world. The entirety culminates in a quest to right certain wrongs. And if that’s all someone sees in the movie, it’s still an entertaining ride.

Amziah and his people are a wonderfully whimsical bunch. Writer-director Andrew Patterson does a marvelous job of letting their interactions inform audiences about them. Whenever the flick does risk duller, albeit necessary exposition dumps—explanations about bee keeping for instance—the cinematic presentation surrounding such occasions keeps them from ever being boring. Some instances are even visual poetry.

Granted, even fans of Matthew McConaughey may get tired of his nearly constant voice throughout the first hour. The movie does wobble a little in the middle as it switches gears. Though that said, as it takes on aspects of a heist movie, The Rivals of Amziah King smartly doesn’t follow the standard formula. Audiences aren’t given a preview during a planning session, rather they get to experience events as they unfold. It keeps things mysterious in a way that revitalizes any waning momentum. Moreover, such surprises are peppered throughout the picture from the start.

Angelina LookingGlass nails down a solid debut as a young woman charmed by the life King offers, and who’s actions speak louder and sharper than her words. The various supporting performers, such as Scott Shepherd (Killers of the Flower Moon), present myriad quirky characters. Observing them can feel like watching kids who left Neverland to grow up in another fairytale. Meanwhile, Kurt Russell (F9) provides a ruthless businessman with a sympathetic twist.

It’s that kind of characterization that makes the movie a real gem. So much of the story seems straightforward until circumstances reveal this sunny mirthful lifestyle is as gritty as any urban crime drama. It leaves one wondering how well they really got to know the titular character during that first hour and perhaps, by extension, anybody in their own lives.

The Rivals of Amziah King is a peculiar slice of Americana. It celebrates a rustic, rural life full of spirituality and folksy wisdom, while admitting that existence isn’t free from the stains of what could be called necessary darkness. Propelled by a melodious soundtrack and supported by a superb cast, this intriguing movie is as amusing as it is thought-provoking.

Moving pathos mingles with a sense of humor that never ignores the ugly side of life, while making it an arguably strange necessity. Along the way, director Andrew Patterson ensures the film never loses a strangely lighthearted charm. Consequently, it’s tempting to call the movie a sunny blend of Shotgun Stories (2007) and Winter’s Bone (2010). Either way, The Rivals of Amziah King is a unique gem well-worth watching.