Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Compassionate priest uplifts the lost; language, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Johnny
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In JOHNNY, Patryk (Piotr Trojan) is a young career criminal, in and out of prison for a variety of seemingly stupid and violent, drug-fueled crimes. He's sprung early from his latest sentence and assigned to "volunteer" at a hospice recently founded by Father Jan Koczkowski (Dawid Ogrodnik). The priest is an odd guy, accepting and welcoming, and unafraid of fighting the Catholic establishment when it refuses to help build the hospice he believes the community needs. He also enlists troubled youth and ex-cons as hospice volunteers. Jan has suffered from lifelong poor health and when he learns he has a terminal brain tumor, he just works harder and helps more people. Cynical Patryk expects to skate through his community service but as Jan puts him at the bedside of the dying, gets him job interviews, and entrusts him with more responsibilities, Patryk opens slowly like an unwilling blossom to the idea of living a better life. He tries to emulate Jan's unwavering compassion, but he slips up, trying to abduct the estranged son of a man dying in the hospice and bring him in for a final reconciliation. It takes time for Patryk to understand that doing terrible things, even for good reasons, doesn't usually work out well.
Is It Any Good?
Jan's wicked humor and limitless forgiveness make every moment his character is on screen an inspiration in Johnny. Ogrodnik gives an impeccable performance that will squeeze tears from the most hardened viewers. However, the story jumps back and forth in time unnecessarily and some stylistic choices detract from the simple strength at the heart of this story about an extraordinary person. Jan's humor often saves the day, as when he welcomes Patryk to the hospice and asks, "What can you do apart from breaking the law?" Jan's father, pre-grieving his dying son, rails at the religion his son represents with, "What kind of dumb religion makes suffering a prerequisite for salvation?"
While certain clichés may be inevitable in a portrayal of a truly good man, some could have been avoided. The druggy ex-con, who serves as narrator, predictably grows to appreciate people he used to mug. He basks in the kindness-training a dying older woman offers him and ends up catering to her like a suitor in love, in one scene lovingly painting her fingernails. But, here, the clichés are graceful enough to be forgivable. Overall, this is a worthwhile two-hanky pleasure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the methods Father Jan used to help people be their best selves. Do you think there are useful lessons to learn from here?
The movie suggests that facing a death sentence sometimes can make people assess their lives. How does the movie show the way people might feel at the end?
The movie suggests that growing up in poverty without guidance can harden people into dangerous adults who can't get along in society. Why do you think Jan rejects that premise and tries to help people become better people no matter what their origins?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 23, 2023
- Cast : Dawid Ogrodnik , Piotr Trojan
- Director : Daniel Jaroszek
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- Run time : 119 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 27, 2023
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