SOVEREIGN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Christian Swegal and Briarcliff Entertainment comes the story of a father and son who believe in the rule of SOVEREIGN.

Jerry Kane (Nick Offerman) is a man who identifies as a Sovereign Citizen who is someone who has anti-government beliefs. Raising his son Joe (Jacob Tremblay) to believe the same thing, there is part of Joe that sees a different possibility for his life. Alone much of the time, his dad speaks on a podcast about the bank trying to foreclose on his home. A knock on the door and papers served makes it clear to the young man that the clock is ticking on being able to turn back.

When Jerry returns home and Joe presents him with the papers, dad goes on a long explanation of why none of it matters because the law doesn’t apply to them. Trying to change it up, Joe is invited to join his dad on the road trip. The seminars are meetings with groups of citizens that feel the need to be heard by Jerry. The lectures he gives are what he considers an explanation about the inner workings of banks and how to stop them from supporting it. Joe does his part to help but also spends his downtime looking into attending school much to Jerry’s surprise and feelings towards the school system in general.

After an encounter with the law, Joe is interviewed y Chief John Bouchart (Dennis Quaid) who talks to the boy about his fathers’ actions and beliefs. Taken in by Social Services, Joe gets a look into spending time with kids his own age and experiencing time in a classroom but it is short lived when he is reunited with his father. Back on the road they finally arrive home once again to deal with the foreclosure and a court date notice. Jerry believes he has the right to stand up for himself but finds that being pushed to the limits with his own rights and the law of the land. Once again up against the law, what happens next brings the unimaginable for all involved.

Offerman as Kane is a man who is deep into the idea of being a Sovereign and lives his life accordingly. Constantly pushing the beliefs on his son, it is a daily deluge of study and reading to keep the boy on the “right” path. This is an intense role to play but Offerman does so exceedingly well to the point portraying a man clearly upset with the world he lives in. There are people in the world who actually believe as Jerry Kane does and Offerman seems to have embodied them all. So well done and frightening at the same time.

Tremblay as Joe is a young man who is clearly torn by the world around him. He tries to support his father as much as he can in the bid to keep the house but knows there is another world out there. While his father is living in his own world, Joe wants to be a part of kids his own age and the potential to go to school and learning. Tremblay being and living part of his father’s teachings, there are moments where you can see the character of Joe trying to find a way out and this young actor shows every bit of it on his face. What a stellar performance that Tremblay should be proud of.

Quaid as Chief Bouchart is a man who was raised to believe that being tough is not only a way to live but a way to a strong career. Watching his own son train to be a police officer, the toughness he has always been as a father follows the toughness of being a cop himself. What his character could never have imagined is that the small town is about to become even smaller. I enjoy when Quaid plays tough characters and with his recent success on the series HAPPY FACE currently streaming on Prime, there is no stopping Quaid from taking on such diverse roles.

Other cast include Terry Nelson as Deputy Hall, Kezia DaCosta as Candace, Buddy Campbell as Buddy, Thomas Kramer as Tommy, Jared Carter as Jared, Ruby Wolf as Jess, Megan Mullally as Beverly, Martha Plimpton as Leslie Ann and Nancy Travis as Patty Bouchart.

Briarcliff Entertainment is an independent American film production and distribution company founded by former Open Road Films CEO Tom Ortenberg. Launched in 2018, the studio debuted with Michael Moore's documentary Fahrenheit 11/9 as their first film. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.briarcliffentertainment.com.

SOVEREIGN is an intense film that deals with a subject that not many really know about. To be honest I didn’t understand it all myself until I did a little research of my own. It is a little disturbing that there are masses of people who believe in the same ideas as the character Jerry Kane. Was I surprised by what I found? In today’s world and the upside down of it all the flat answer is no. If you don’t believe me, check out TikToks and YouTube channels where more and more are posting the very thing this character said in the film. The unhappiness of those who follow the idea of being sovereign will not be swayed.

Offerman brings with his role the intensity that I’ve seen on the faces of those on social media. His portrayal is a lesson to everyone that the disgruntled people living in the United States has far reaching consequences as each day of unhappiness and turmoil goes by. He is frightening and confusing all at the same time and watching his character trying to indoctrinate Joe just brings a heart heaviness as history shows what happens when generations are fed hate. Tremblay is stellar as well watching his character of Joe try to fight what is being force fed to his young mind.

The film is based on true events but what it does even more is shine a very bright light on our country that is struggling day to day with an identity that is slowly fading and in the hands of people like Jerry Kane. Watch and see for yourself.

In the end – when two beliefs collide!