‘Palmer’ gives Justin Timberlake a chance to show off his dramatic side
Off-screen drama shouldn’t obscure the on-screen merits of “Palmer,” a small movie that offers a solid showcase for Justin Timberlake. Reminiscent of “Sling Blade” in its themes and tone, the Apple TV+ film hinges on the unlikely bond between a man and a young boy, offering the former redemption and the latter the supportive figure he’s lacked.
Timberlake’s Eddie Palmer was a high-school football star, whose bad judgment landed him a 12-year prison sentence. Returning to his home town in Louisiana, he takes up residence with his grandma (June Squibb) and struggles to find work, finally landing a janitor’s job at the local school.