Low critic score, high audience score, it’s a good movie. High critic score, low audience score, it’s a woke movie.

I grew up in West virginia. Broken family, addicted to drugs for 17years. God delivered me from addiction in prison. Been out 6 years and I have a house, wife, baby, and my own heating and cooling company. I give God all the glory.

I never thought once this story was political. I thought this story was about PEOPLE. People in difficult circumstances.

As a recovering addict who changed her own life, this movie is awesome. I'm going to grad school for Forensic Psychology

Change the color white to black we have an academy award winning in All movie categories

Its almost as if drugs and broken homes result in the same outcome regardless of skin color. Shocking.

HillBilly Elegy was one of the best movies I’ve seen in years. Fuckin Glen Close made that her character so real she is amazing.

Im a hispanic and i related to that film SO much, i couldnt stop crying, it was like watching my life This stuff is real BRAVO to that film And shame on the critics!!

Meanwhile critics adore Cuties. Something is up.

A lot of people have come up in the exact life that this movie is about. Poverty doesn't care what color you are

My mom had a 9th grade education and my father an 8th, both born and raised in or near Appalachia. Out of our entire family, out of 27 cousins, only two of us went to college. But they all worked hard and took care of their families. The thought of going to college and trying to go beyond factory work was looked on as weird. My parents never, ever mentioned college or trying for an actual profession. I was expected to do good in school, but it was taken for granted that I would just graduate from high school and then go into one of the factories. That was our family tradition. My mother actually got angry when I insisted upon going to college, as if I was just adding another burden to her life even though I paid 100% of my school loans and only got gas money from her. I've always been glad I broke the mold and now have a job that I can easily support myself with. But I did have to fight to get out.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." ('1984', George Orwel

I'm a 6th generation Scots-Irish Ozarks hillbilly. I was the first person in either side of my family to graduate from college. My dad was a high school dropout who drank himself to death at the age of 62. My sister is a nurse practitioner. My brother is a CPA. I own a small business. All of our kids have Masters Degrees. Most of our role models were examples of what not to do in life except for our Grandma. She held us accountable and encouraged us to change the family tree. She was also tough enough to hunt grizzlies with a hickory switch.

I remember when a 25% critics score meant I would normally pass on a movie. Now if critics are united in their hate, it usually means it's worth checking out.

I get the feeling this is rural version of “Precious” But they aren’t black, so it doesn’t mean anything to critics

As a black man, especially a young black man in college I related to this movie so much. I saw myself in JD; Someone who wants to do great things but family always gets in the way and feels like they’re dragging you down almost. One of the best films I’ve seen lately The critics dont know shit

I'm a hillbilly and approve of this message.

I am an Indian immigrant, and I truly admired the book and the movie. Much respect fir JD Vance and people like him that come out of poverty out of hard work.

I sobbed when I watched it. It hit so close to home. That was my childhood and it was the same for so many others in the south.

New Yorker: "...impersonal manipulation of memory & experience." *How would they know his memories?* Audacious disrespect by these unprofessional HACKS.

If the cast had been all black and brown, the movie would be considered "stunning and brave" by the critics....

“When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are being ruled by criminals.” - Edward Snowden - ELECTION 2020

Feminists should appreciate the strong women that help a young man in this

The movie was great. It was one person's life, not the whole area.

As a first generation child to Mexican immigrant parents, I’ve never related so closely to hillbillies prior to this movie. It was great. I saw us in their story tbh

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” -MLK BLM needs to remember MLK's philosophy

I love how people are looking for politics where they really don’t exist.

Watched with my two twenty-something year old kids. I grew up like portrayed in the movie. My son is a lawyer. My daughter is a nurse. They loved it.

I definitely didn't see any "White Privilege" in this movie...

The fundamental point: You may not be responsible for the position you are in, but YOU are responsible for getting yourself out of the position you are in.

This movie was wonderful. A true American family growing up story.

Glenn Close was just incredible in this film.

I’m living in a shit show reality. Someone’s story of overcoming incredible adversity is disliked because he’s not woke.

"We choose everyday who we become" J.D. Vance. If J.D. had been black, this would've been wonderful, per the left.

So they are hating on the fact he wasn’t like his mother addicted to drugs? instead he decided to pursue a better life? That’s weird ha.

so now "lived experiences" don't matter at all and they "ignore important nuances". Got it!

When you have such a high audience score vs a low critic score, it just makes the critics look stupid.

I think movie critics are the same group doing the so called “fact checking”.

This is my 80 year old mama's story...alcohol instead of drugs... she was first in large family to graduate high school... then beauty school...then college... then nursing school. With not a dime of help from government or anyone else. She now has a beautiful life with great health and looks upon her Appalachian roots with a great deal of fondness for all the people that made her who she is today ...with love instead of shame. She loves the mountains she came from and the people and the music and the love they shared.

Here like elsewhere liberals hear some kind of Trump dog whistle that is not really there.

20 years ago everyone would have received an Academy Award for this. That's how far we've fallen...

The film is the story of my life from poverty and child abuse, to educating my self and getting out of consious poverty.

They are turning on their own, Ron Howard.

Academy Award winner. Easily the best movie I've watched in years

If the characters were any color but white this would be nominated for all the oscars

The thing is, we don’t really care what the “elites” in these left wing metropolitan areas, say or do. I personally don’t even consider them human. I compare their lived experience to mine and I actually feel pity for them. 21 yrs ago i was a broken penniless OxyContin junky. I slept on the floor of trailers that most people wouldn’t even be able to blink in. As horrific as that sounds, it made me the man i am today. When I think about some of the ungodly things i did and endured, all i can do is smile. Nowadays I operate a small construction company. I have a small farm, 2 beautiful children, a wife/best friend who stuck by me through the worst of times, I haven’t used in almost 20 yrs and i employ only individuals struggling with drug addiction and trying to get back on their feet. I frankly wouldn’t trade places with any of these “elitist” dregs, and i damn sure wouldn’t switch roots with one of them.

If this same film showed the protagonists as BLACKS the elites would give it 95

Ben, I'm from Oklahoma and lived in Chicago for many years. I was harrassed often. Thank you for this post.

How would Hollywood understand any of struggles in the movie? This is real America and obviously Hollywood knows zero about that.

Petition to get a weekly Ben Shapiro movie review

"That's how we got Trump." What a great line.

Excellent movie.. moved me to tears , it's been more than 10 yrs since I cried. This movie hits different for people from broken familes. My mom is schizophrenic and dad is a depressive patient .. as far as I can remember they both used to make each other miserable. They seperated few 14 years ago.. My mom lives with me.. sometimes i lose my calm and say mean things to my mom. It doesn't make sense to me how my mom doesn't care about me, she doesn't ever talk to me about my life got affected since my childhood, how I'm coping

I was surprised that Netflix aired the movie at all, given its sympathetic look at poor white America.

And now, due to the outrage, I am going to watch a movie I never heard of and otherwise would have no interest in.

"Where we come from is who we are but we choose every day who we become. My family is not perfect, but they made me who I am and gave me chances they never had. My future, whatever it is, is our shared Legacy." amazing thanks Ben

Watched this movie..and it took my breath away when they showed that it was based on a real story...Glenn Close nails it...and no they didn't sugar coat anything ...and great movie...very uplifting .

Thank you Ben for giving a voice to the 25 million people living in the Appalachians. 25 million people that serve as a punch line for the elites. We are much more than that.

This movie is Real! sadly Hollywood likes fairytales. This movie was actually great!

Being sponsored by a gambling service while talking about how good decisions lift people out of poverty is shockingly ironic

I'm mexican. Born in Mexico lived in the beautiful USA since 1972. American naturalized citizen. Grew up in East Los Angeles and I can relate to the struggles of this family. No matter what color your skin is. I love this movie, so real. WOW

When you are shunned for doing good deeds that isn't political. That is biblical.

Film critics have no love for Ron Howard’s “Hillbilly Elegy;” reviews call the film “laughably horrendous,” “awful,” and “one of the most shameless films of the year.” That means this is a really good movie lol

My father emigrated to the US from Europe in 1939 after his father became a US citizen. My father was drafted into the WWII Army as soon as he turned 19. He earned the Bronze Star and after that made his living with a short handle shovel digging holes in the earth. His four children were all educated as far as they wanted to go. He knew that education was the key to leaving the short handle shovel in the garage.

Hillbilly elegy, watched it last night it was fucking incredible

"Hillbilly Elegy" was a great book true to real life. J.D.Vance is a success story. Thanks Ben for covering this story.

That movie is the story of my life. My mother was a drug addict, life was hard. You have to sacrifice your childhood years and grow up too fast. I'm now on my way to become a Chartered Accountant (a 7 year course which is one of the most difficult courses in my country ). Elites think people like us don't exist. We do . We are the rare children that understand hardwork and sacrifice.

I read the book and connected with JD Vance. I was born to a 15 year old girl in a government program. She and my father married and had 7 more kids. He was in and out of the mental hospital and we were always on relief. It wasn't generous like today and it seemed to go out of ots way to make you feel like a beggar sucking up public money. I didn't get to Yale but I did get a decent career type job. Four years in the Navy prepared me for self employment when I was laid off after 16 years. I married a good woman 48 years ago and we still like each other's company. My son was the only one in his generation to go to college and is also well married with two children. He's good at what he does. He's never looked for a job, jobs look for him. The Elitists who dislike people like Vance and others like him because they made it out of the class they were born into without government assistance should be ashamed of themselves. They'll never think about whether they could have done it themselves because privilege has blinded them to it. I've listened to insults about people who go into the military many times because we had no other opportunities like parents who could pay for them to get a college deferment while getting C- grades. And they have no shame about it.

I didn’t think that Hillbilly Elegy, being a long narrative about growing up in a holler, could turn into a film with immediacy, dialogue and action, but under the direction of Ron Howard, it did become a story that works on the big screen. A grandmother (Glenn Close) wants her grandson , J.D.(Gabriel Basso) to become someone. J.D. without a father at home, an addicted mother, (Amy Adams) somehow manages to escape this world, get educated, and find a woman to love = a mournful elegy of a tough childhood and adolescence. Having grown up in Appalachia, I could see some of my family and friends bump into the people in Hillbilly Elegy, and fit right in. A story well-told. Hard to find good stories that hold together in feature film these days. Thanks to Netflix for getting this one out to us. I hope you find it, not delightful or fun of course, but important as a way of seeing the world through a different lens.

This video made me cry. I have the almost exact life story that Vance does. I was raised in extreme poverty by violently abusive parents in the Appalachian mountains. Parents divorced when I was nine. Mom remarried a high level drug dealer. My dad was a biker that sold moonshine. I was abused emotionally, physically and sexually. My wife has said more times than I can count that I should write a book, but I can't. I can't relive it like that. I don't want it on paper. I'd probably have a break down. But, having said all that. I made the choice to leave all that as soon as I could. Joined the Navy at 17 to escape. I made the choice to stop the cycle. I didn't go to Harvard Law, but I went to college. I became an engineer and an entrepreneur. By my choices and by the grace and blessings of God, I changed the path of my life. I kid you not, this happened to me: I was invited to the home of a successful doctor in CA in '87 as one of several dinner guests. I was chatting with a lady, who was wearing some very expensive jewelry, if you get my meaning. She asked me where I was from. I told her. And she says to me, quote "But you sound so intelligent." close quote. I didn't even flinch. I refused to let her see any reaction from me at all. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

"Dear Minorities: You are not good enough on your own to accomplish anything of merit. So we, the Academy, are going to grant you a place at the table just because of the way you look. We know you're too weak, too stupid to recognize this as blatant patronization and will gladly accept our magnanimity with a grateful smile like the good little boys and girls you are. You're welcome." - The Academy of Arts and Science.

God forbid there’s a story where the main character improves his lot in life through taking responsibility and making different choices. This movie is terrific. Ron Howard did an amazing job bringing this story to life.

saw this last week. I was surprised that netflix had this on there list.

I just visited my grandparents and family from McDowell County, WV for Thanksgiving and joked with my wife about all my privilege as we drove through shanty town after shanty town. I watched this entire movie through tears feeling it’s truth down to my bones. I’m infinitely appreciative and forever grateful for my family sacrificing and paving the way for me become who I am today.

I watched the movie before ever even hearing that it was pissing off the left. I never once thought of politics. It was about JD overcoming huge obstacles and making something of himself.

I’m from Appalachia specifically the Ohio West Virginia and Kentucky tristate and the depiction of Appalachia family structure is insanely accurate

I grew up as a person with above average intelligence in a rural area in the foothills of the Appalachians. It has been difficult to face the pretense of my accent equating to my intelligence. Ive been running from it my entire adult life. I didn't know I was supposed to be ashamed. Im over it. I am heading back to where I grew up. It is home, even with its faults.

As a rural-raised woman in academia pursuing a better life separate from my incredibly humble and turbulent beginnings, thanks for covering this❤️😂

I don't understand why there's even a "critic score." nobody cares what critics think. I only care what the audience (normal people) thought.

Ron Howard has a more personal experience to the movie than people realize. He was a child my Memaw babysat in my hometown in Oklahoma. Ron Howard came from a "hillbilly" background, very similar to his first acting role as Opie. He was perfect for the part.

It's not only Appalachia any more either. the 'cultured, educated elites' look down on rural people even from just outside the metro areas. This started getting very noticeable after the 2016 election.

Because it proves that we choose who we become and what we make out of life. Let go of victim mentality and you can succeed!!!!!!!!

Oh my word - my son and I watched it yesterday. Absolutely loved it. Bawled my eyes out. You nailed it Ben. It’s pro family and opposed to victimhood.

The whole problem is that they are ok with people avoiding personal responsibility.

This movie is incredibly real. It hit way too close to home. Ohio born and raised with roots in Tennessee. Thank God my family are rural. Glenn Close was amazing! I’ve known this mama in real life, many times over.

I am so screwed. I’m a high schooler from a rural county and I actually read this book not too long before college applications were due. Because I enjoyed this book, I also put it down under the “favorite book” question. We’ll see how it goes... thank you Ben for the review, btw!

Those are the same critics that said "Cuties" was "groundbreaking"... so those people should be in jail anyways... who gives AF what they think and like?

This movie is a great, powerful story of overcoming surmountable odds. It also lets you know that some scars of abuse don’t go away. Sometimes I wonder why a person can’t tell their story without negative controversy? JD Vance’s success is praiseworthy. Although the movie was difficult to watch because it showed abuse of a child ; I cried happy tears to see that his life didn’t end in tragedy.

I’m Pakistani first generation immigrant & relate to the film so much. It’s a movie about family, poverty, intergenerational trauma & breaking cycles in the pursuit of your dreams; all because someone believed in you. Nothing to do with politics or race imo.

I love how many have claimed that J.D. Vance's experience is "inauthentic." I mean, that takes some special brass ones to claim that someone who actually lived it didn't live it "authentically." And this is why politicians, let alone journalists or movie critics, will never understand rural America.

I’m actually from the Appalachian area in East Tennessee and this movie/book sounds like it could’ve been written about my home town

I love Ron Howard’s work. It’s kinda funny when you find a random movie to watch and you can guess it was directed by him or Eastwood.

I can't believe people thought this movie was "too unrealistic". This movie was VERY realistic. If you can't even comprehend that this is many people's realities, then YOU have privilege.

I'm 68 year old disabled Vet born in what we used to call a ghetto. I'm the eldest of seven children and raised without a father. I was the first to go to collage in my family. I don't do drugs, don't drink and have raised four successful children. My siblings on the other hand have all passed fairly young from drugs and alcohol. At seventeen I joined the millatary to get out of my circumstances. After I was discharged I went to college on the G.I. bill. It is about decisions you make.

So this is basically the same story as "the pursuit of happiness". Somehow critics liked that one...

I tried watching a download of this. Hard to get started on it, now I get it. This style of review was needed.

I'm the kid of the boy who got out. My dad grew up in near Johnstown PA, joined the military, and eventually had a wife and kid in Minnesota. I love my family back in PA and this movie hit close to home for my Dad. We have family that is now deceased due to opiates, grew up in the same area. My family is majority truckers and military, we're proud of each other and what we've become. We have two Doctors in the family, we're doing okay. I didn't grow up there, but my roots did, my Dad did. This film represented all of us. To us this movie isn't political at all, we come from all walks of life. From honor, respect, and education, to domestic violence, drug abuse, and neglect. This movie is accurate. BTW, the "Kid" in the movie, Owen, is my cousin. That's how close this movie is to our family.

The same crowd that rated The Last Jedi as one of the greatest films of all time. These people should be either ignored or laughed at.

I’m a Filipino immigrant in Canada and I can relate. I and my wife came here ( legally ) with nothing but thru hard work, perseverance and faith in God we were able to reach our goals and dreams not only for ourselves but also for our kids.

Thank you, Mr. Shapiro, for your insight. I've yet to read the book, and I haven't seen the movie either, but it sounds like a great story/documentary... The fact that the lefist Hollywood snobs despise it, gives me a pretty good idea that it is something actually worth reading and watching. I've also been a fan of Ron Howard since the 80s, when he was on Happy Days, and of course, as "Opie Taylor," on the Andy Griffith Show reruns, of which I have enjoyed for the last 4 decades.

As someone who grew up with a parent who was an addict, I just kept nodding by head in complete understanding throughout the movie. I guess that's why the attacks on this movie feel so personal.