15 Most Disappointing Movies Of 2016
7. Free State Of Jones
Matthew McConaughey playing Civil War rebel Newton Knight as directed by Gary Ross (Pleasantville, The Hunger Games) seemed like sure-fire Oscar material, but alas, the end result was just totally mediocre.
Far too long at 140 minutes, shot with all the flair of a Lifetime dramatisation and ill-advisedly making use of a pointless framing device, Free State of Jones makes countless rookie mistakes despite the clear talent at the cusp.
It's most frustrating because McConaughey gives an impressive performance on his own merits, but he's left stranded in a bland, poorly-made historical "epic" that lacks an emotional core and is ultimately a chore to get through.