The stakes couldn’t be higher for Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrara as a bust-out School Bus Driver and an elementary teacher try to save 22 school kids during the devastating California Paradise Camp Fire. Director Paul Greengrass used real fire shooting in New Mexico. He creates an exciting disaster, action-thriller based on the real events in Lizzie Johnson’s book “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire.” It’s been called the worst in U.S. history.
Director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne franchise, United 93, Captain Phillips) deserves credit for how he textured his characters while not detracting from the gripping action. This is McConaughey’s first film in 6 years as he took time off from acting. Kevin (McConaughey) is a local guy from Paradise, California, whose life is a mess. He dropped out of high school and is having a tough time making ends meet. He’s divorced with a teen son who hates him and a judgmental mother in a wheelchair. Son Sean in the film is played by McConaughey’s real life son, Levi, who asked his Dad if he could audition for the part. But Levi specifically asked to drop his last name on the tape sent in, not wanting to become a nepo-baby. He does a great job.
The role of Kevin’s mother in the film is also played by McConaughey’s real mother! When Greengrass was looking for an older woman to play the part, Matthew suggested his 93-old Mom, Kay, who was told to make a 1 minute tape. She sent in 8 full minutes. Matthew told Greengrass she had fallen recently and was in a wheel chair. Greengrass response? “All the better!”
Mary (America Ferrara) is the local teacher who is responsible for getting the kids safely home as warnings become more urgent about the fire coming their way. When the perfect storm of drought, high winds and a downed power wire spark the inferno, Kevin is faced with the ultimate dilemma. Will he use his bus to save his Mother and son, or answer the call as the only empty bus available to rescue Mary’s 22 students. Mary has no idea how dire her plight is when Kevin pulls up in the bus.
The plot takes the audience on two journeys. One is the harrowing bus ride with scared kids and a frantic teacher through the middle of a raging fire. The other is the vain efforts by fire fighters, led by Chief Martinez (Yul Vasquez) as it becomes clear there’s no way they can defeat the firestorm as it spreads completely out of control. Vasquez shows the Fire Chief making choices between saving property and life with calm integrity and control. He plays a true example of what a good leader should be.
Greengrass and Director of Photography, Pål Ulvik Rokseth, made the fire a character in this film. At first, the director wanted to use cutting-edge virtual production techniques, even considered shooting the film on the stage at the Las VegasSphere!. But he decided to go to a more realistic approach using real fire at a location in New Mexico.
He rehearsed sequences using vehicle movements and stunts but took only 3 takes during what is visually known as the “magic hour,” when it could look very sinister; dark and smoky, blocking out the sun.The kids on the bus are convincing; panicked, scared, hiding under the seats, some crying. Their credible acting adds emotion to what they are having to go through, not knowing if they’ll ever see their parents again. Ferrara is sensitive with each child, trying to calm their fears.
Greengrass gave Ferrara and McConaughey space to improvise certain scenes to make it more perilous and grim. The scene where Kevin has to clear cars in gridlock around the bus is frightening. Greengrass told McConaughey to go figure out how to clear a path by steadfastly directing traffic to make them move so he could drive the bus away. It’s a dire situation and a very tense scene as McConaughey jumps in and takes charge, surrounded by flames.
Greengrass makes you feel feet to the fire with McConaughey and Ferrera in this taut drama. They play off each other well as strangers on a life threatening mission, learning as they go. We found this lost bus, in Paradise, could really bring the heat.
Apple TV+ 2 Hours 9 Minutes R
