Review: ‘Kodachrome,’ an Ode to Color Film, Now Streaming Near You

“Kodachrome” is based on an article that A.G. Sulzberger, who became publisher of The New York Times this January, wrote in 2010. It concerned the international rush on Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas, which became the world’s last processor of the discontinued color film Kodachrome.

But in a twist that may make camera buffs’ heads explode, the feature, directed by Mark Raso, arrives courtesy of Netflix, which bought the movie after it was made. Despite a credit noting that the movie was shot (to little effect) on 35 mm Kodak film, “Kodachrome” will mostly be seen on the streaming platform, whose current business model hastens the destruction of physical media.

The purchase might make a good working definition of “chutzpah” — having conquered DVDs and theaters, is Netflix now trying to own nostalgia? —but there’s no cause for alarm. If this earnest and forgettable road movie represents a meaningful tribute to taking pictures, we ought to go back to cave drawing.

Jason Sudeikis plays Matt, who works in the music industry and whose estranged, ailing father, Ben (Ed Harris), contacts him through an aide, Zooey (Elizabeth Olsen). A renowned photographer, Ben has old film rolls he wants to develop before the last call in Kansas is over. What’s on them is a secret viewers will have guessed before the end.

Ever the analog man, Ben prefers to navigate with maps instead of a talking GPS. “Kodachrome” celebrates records as well; the scenes in which Matt guesses Zooey’s taste in music owe a great deal to Cameron Crowe.

At least Ektachrome is coming back.

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