Directed by: Tate Taylor
Written by: Amanda Idoko
Starring: Allison Janney, Mila Kunis, Awkwafina, Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes, Juliette Lewis
Rating: [3.5/5]
Receiving attention unlocks something in us as humans, as our desire for people to want to pay attention to us creates circumstances where individuals need to manufacture a way to get the limelight on them. However, with attention on you, it invites other eyes and opinions to also include themselves, creating quite the situation for the lead character in Breaking News in Yuba County. A film following a meek housewife as she gets more than she bargained for in her 15 minutes of fame moment.
Thinking her husband has a surprise for her birthday, Sue (Allison Janney) follows him only to discover he’s cheating on her. When she confronts him, he drops dead of a heart attack from the shock. Instead of reporting the death, she opts to quietly bury and report him as missing and enjoys the news coverage and attention it brings her.
Quite the situation for Sue to encounter within this film, the journey she goes on reveals something she has maintained hidden for some time now. She does not receive much attention from anyone around her to the point where no one remembers her birthday, including her husband. Now having the opportunity to have all of this limelight on her as a concerned wife for her missing husband presents quite a different life experience before her. While the police brushed off her concerns, her utilization of the media really gets things going and hits right at the core of what this film seeks to convey.
On a larger scale, this film wants to provide commentary on the role media plays in sensitive situations to the point where it becomes exploitative. However, when looking at Sue’s actions within this film, it displays that the media can surely be exploitative, but the right person can manipulate them for their gain. Sue walks this tightrope in maintaining her place in the spotlight as this tragic story, especially with the reality that the news likes to move on to fresh new stories as well. This brings the entertainment of this story, as the fear she must maintain is a healthy one of how she could be exposed in all of this, especially with the police continuing in their skepticism for her.
Things only get wackier when it turns out Sue learns her husband got involved with a money laundering scheme that involves some very dangerous criminals like Mina (Awkwafina) and Ray (Clifton Collins Jr). They bring such a different element of the film that helps round out what makes it so fun. While Sue lives within this momentary bliss, there are all of these moving pieces happening around her she for the most part remains fairly ignorant of. You just know everything will coalesce eventually, as all roads will forcefully lead to the truth.
For a film that did not get as much notice upon its release, it contains such an incredible ensemble of comedic actors that make this movie so fun to watch. Allison Janney leads the line as Sue and does so well in portraying all facets of Sue as she starts as this quiet woman and develops far beyond that as the narrative progresses. Then we have various pairs who work so well together. We get scene partners like Wanda Sykes and Jimmi Simpson along with the aforementioned duo of Awkwafina and Clifton Collins Jr. They add their comedic timing and flair for the benefit of the entire production. Then we have the likes of Regina Hall, Mila Kunis, Juliette Lewis, and Matthew Modine, who all shine in the screentime they receive. Each of them brought such joy and rounded out the narrative.
Filled with many surprises and moments of great humor, Breaking News in Yuba County presents an entertaining tale that delivers everything within a quick runtime. We get an evergreen story about the role of media in these missing person cases and how they can certainly raise awareness but also make matters worse. All of this transpires with some wacky characters in this small town who have their own motivations and goals they want to achieve all centered around Sue and her quest for someone to pay attention to her. Everything culminates into a fun and breezy viewing experience that’s worth checking out.
