'Hillbilly Elegy' book, film gain renewed interest after JD Vance's VP nomination
JD Vance's memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" has gained renewed interest following his selection as former President Donald Trump's vice-presidential pick, and the film adaptation was directed by Ron Howard and featured a star-studded cast, though critics have criticized it for perpetuating stereotypes about the poor.
Watch a related video on Ohio State students' reactions to Vance's VP nomination in the player above.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — JD Vance’s memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” has garnered renewed interest following his selection as former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick.
Originally published in 2016, “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” details Vance’s upbringing in a struggling Appalachian family and highlights the broader socioeconomic challenges of community members. The book quickly became a bestseller, earning spots on various bestseller lists, including the New York Times.
At the Republican National Convention, after Trump announced the senator from Ohio as his choice for vice president, the work spiked to No. 1 on Amazon’s bestselling book list.
The film adaptation, released four years after the book, was directed by Ron Howard and featured a cast including Amy Adams, Glenn Close and Gabriel Basso.
Significant parts of the Hollywood production were shot in Middletown, Ohio, where Vance was raised by his grandparents. Key locations in the city between Cincinnati and Dayton ranged from a neighborhood on Harrison Street, used for the Vance family home, to the historic Sorg Opera House on Main Street, according to filmloc.com.
Close received both an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a Razzies nomination for Worst Supporting Actress for her role as Mamaw, highlighting the mixed reception of her performance. Additionally, Howard and scriptwriter Vanessa Taylor earned Razzies nominations for Worst Director and Worst Screenplay, respectively.
On Rotten Tomatoes, “Hillbilly Elegy” holds a 25% on its "Tomatometer" based on more than 250 reviews, with critics describing it as a “bland melodrama” that failed to capture the depth of Vance’s memoir. Its audience score is more favorable at 82%, with fans calling it a "great heartfelt and inspirational movie."
Metacritic scores it at 38 out of 100, reflecting generally unfavorable critic reviews. The movie was scrutinized for perpetuating stereotypes about the poor, although some reviewers appreciated its high production values and strong acting performances. However, user reviews on the site gave the picture a 7.5 out of 10, noting it is a "painful and inspiring story about an underrepresented demographic group."
The film is currently available on Netflix, where it has climbed into the streamer's top 10 most-watched movie chart.