Director: Adam Meeks
Writer: Adam Meeks
Stars: Will Poulter, Kevin P. Braig, Annette Deao
Synopsis: Assigned to a county-mandated drug court program, Cody Parsons embarks on the tenuous journey toward recovery amidst the opioid epidemic in rural Ohio.
Movies about addiction and recovery aren’t exactly a new premise, but Union County highlights just how vital they still are by raising much needed awareness and questioning whether the current systems in place truly do enough to support those most affected. To the film’s credit, it doesn’t shy away from depicting the many hurdles and setbacks individuals face, while also showcasing the opportunities available to them in their moments of need. It achieves this by following a real-life program with real participants in Ohio, offering an immensely poignant and effective look at the path to recovery.
Union County follows Cody Parsons (Will Poulter) as he begins his long road ahead after entering a court-mandated recovery program that requires him to attend regular meetings, track his sobriety, and slowly reintegrate back into society under intense supervision. His brother, Jack (Noah Centineo), is also enrolled in the same program, but on the surface his chirpy demeanor and healthier appearance suggest he is further along in his rehabilitation, as compared to Cody.
The journey starts right at the beginning with Cody having no viable place to live, beyond his car, with his only possessions essentially being the clothes on his back. With help from Jack, he is able to secure a job in order to somewhat get himself back on his feet. There’s a palpable sense of monotony as he tries to avoid temptation while stuck in the cycle of work, court, sleep, repeat. Don’t mess around, don’t make mistakes, and everything will be ok. Of course, that’s not how it plays out. Both brothers frustratingly fall foul of breaking the rules with deadly serious consequences on the horizon if no change is made.
Amongst the many sobering moments Union County has on display, it does feel like there is a definitive turning point in the brother’s separate journeys that is particularly pertinent. It’s a moment that every addict, whether it be drugs, gambling, or alcohol, can pinpoint where the tides in their lives began to turn. It’s something that’s captured brilliantly here through these characters, hitting particularly close to home for myself, as someone who overcame a crippling gambling addiction.
Via the real life program, it’s clear from the outset just how beneficial some of the services that they offer are to those enrolled. The way they are captured here is remarkably similar to that of Sing Sing, which is a nice touch. It also captures how the workers are willing to move heaven and earth for their clients, but ultimately their hands are tied by the limitations of the system. Simultaneously, it raises the question of whether the government could be doing more to support initiatives like this.
Of course, while individuals must take responsibility for their own actions and can only be helped if they actively want it, Union County utilizes Cody as a vehicle to show how difficult it is to traverse the crisis of addiction. There’s some incredibly difficult to watch scenes as the system deems it acceptable to cast Cody aside to live in his car as shelters are full, rather than actually provide the support that is desperately needed for success. The feeling of frustration grows further with the inclusion of real-life individuals who have been enrolled into the very program the film depicts.
Narratively, not everything in Union County works. The inclusion of a romantic subplot can feel a little forced at times. Rather than developing more naturally as a part of Cody’s story, it often comes across as just a narrative accelerator. The presence of romance is understandable though, given that many people have credited their partners as a catalyst for them to turn their life around successfully.
That said, writer and director Adam Meeks handles the subject matter with a great deal of care. The messaging is timely with drug and opioid abuse in America reaching record levels. It is delivered in a deeply effective way that is bound to resonate with anyone that has experienced a journey like this, or has known someone that has. This is especially evident during a meeting where Will Poulter delivers a phenomenal speech that reinforces addiction is a constant battle that is never truly over, with each day a small victory in itself which is made all the more meaningful as it’s delivered in front of real life victims who still struggle day in day out.
Speaking of Poulter, his performance is impeccable. Having already received a Primetime Emmy nomination for his role in Dopesick, another project that tackles the opioid epidemic, it should come as no surprise that he approaches the material with the respect and maturity it demands. It will undoubtedly go down as another highlight in his already impressive resume, as he further stakes his claim to being one of the best British actors working today.
Centineo, in the main supporting role, makes the most of his more limited screentime. Despite projecting an air of confident bravado, he also brings a quiet vulnerability that allows the audience to feel every rise and fall of his character’s arc. It’s a performance that likely won’t be seen by nearly as many people as it deserves, as it is one I’m sure many who have struggled with similar addictions will be able to thoroughly relate to.
As Union County draws to a close, it becomes abundantly clear that it has no intention of having a glossy Hollywood ending. Instead, it stays true to its core, presenting a hard hitting, honest depiction of the uncomfortable reality that anyone can be affected by what is shown on screen. While it isn’t a film that offers anything we haven’t seen before, it provides a profound look at one of the biggest tragedies plaguing modern society, offering a solemn glimpse into the suffering a growing number of people have to face.
