The Public Parent Guide

Librarian Stuart Goodson (Emilio Estevez) knows that Cincinnati has a problem with homelessness. Every day dozens of homeless citizens come to the library seeking the warmth and safety they can’t find in the city’s overcrowded shelters. On an especially cold night, the homeless, led by Jackson (Michael K. Williams) simply refuse to leave when the library closes. Police arrive and find that the protesters have barricaded themselves in on the third floor with Goodson, who elects to remain and join their protest for their right to shelter. Now it is up to Detective Bill Ramstead (Alec Baldwin) to talk them out…if he can.

I like this movie, but I’m going to begin with its problems, chief of which is that some of its characters feel a bit contrived. This is not to say that the script relies on caricatures but that the antagonists can sometimes feel like stock characters, particularly in the case of the reporter (Gabrielle Union) and the DA (Christian Slater). The dialogue also oscillates between sounding natural and compelling or wooden and clunky.

All that said, the word that kept coming to mind while I watched this movie was “earnest”. The execution may be unpolished but this production oozes sincerity. The characters aren’t terribly complex, but most of the protagonists still feel authentic and compelling. The simple camera work and minimal soundtrack also sell the story well, as they maintain the film’s focus on the characters and message. The biggest plus, however, is the unbelievable cast. Estevez does an excellent job, but Jena Malone steals every scene she’s in. Alex Baldwin is surprisingly empathetic, and Christian Slater seems to revel in being despicable. Everyone in front of the camera does a superb job at making their character feel genuine and sympathetic.

It’s unfortunate that this movie has not enjoyed a wide theatrical release. While it isn’t a jaw dropping, blockbuster production, The Public is relentlessly humane in its treatment of its characters, and certainly deserves a broader audience. It also gets bonus marks from me, as a frequent patron of my own local public library, for reminding people that they can read just about anything they want (basically) for free – and should do so. More importantly though, the film highlights one of the most significant problems we face as a society. By humanizing the people involved instead of simply labeling them, it gives audiences a moving and heartfelt look at people who are too often marginalized or ignored. Hopefully, this film won’t be ignored along with them.