I like Hanks - he has excelled in this one.
I have most serious issues with the plot. It’s prob because I hold ooga-booga superstitious stuff in such aversion and there’s plenty of that stuff in this movie. Although, the superstitious stuff was used to well in this movie that if there was one movie I would recommend to get a flavor of that, this would be it.
The old American south is brought out well. Cinematography is excellent - esp. the opening scene. Oh, and the scene with the rain water coming down the glass window. Masters have shown their mark on this film.
Experiences of slaves and JC laws come across strongly. Bigots in their bigotry, compassionate people in their compassion and simple people in their simplicity - this movie is second to none I have seen in showing the elements of human nature.