This is one of the most polarizing movies I've ever reviewed, and not just because it's about a guy who's currently running for VP (and turned 40 today, FWIW). The fact that Glenn Close was nominated for both an Oscar and a Razzie for the same role tells me it was controversial on arrival. It's also significantly more popular with general audiences than with critics. So I decided to give myself an informed opinion.
The story alternates focus between Kentuckian-descended JD Vance in his Ohio teen years (Owen Asztalos) and in his late 20s (Gabriel Basso). In both eras, he has to contend with his troubled mother, Bev (Amy Adams). In adolescence, he sometimes relies on his fairly harsh but well-intentioned grandmother, Bonnie (Close). Since they can barely make ends meet, he'll have to grow up fast. In JD's adulthood, Bev's problems threaten to make him too late for a highly anticipated job interview, with his sister (Haley Bennett) able to provide only so much support. He's reluctant to let his girlfriend, Usha (Freida Pinto), know what kind of family she might be getting involved with.
Adult JD insists that Bev is the smartest person he knows, but you'd hardly guess from watching. Even when she's not on serious drugs (that and the swearing account for the R rating), she is hard to get along with, often controlling, arrogant, and unduly angry -- at times enough to get police attention. I think she's a little bigoted too, as when she sees a photo of Usha and asks, "What is she?" and JD correctly infers a reference to her race or nationality. It's hard to help someone so unwilling to help herself, which may entail breaking rules. In Bev's defense, Bonnie was reportedly even worse in her youth, but at least Bonnie improved.
Don't expect any political messaging. Like Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, it's not about that side of the protagonist's life. Indeed, the memoir on which the film is based predates JD's run for Senate.
Frankly, I don't see what the haters have against HE. Sure, the subject isn't much fun -- you might even find it kind of hackneyed -- but it strikes me as realistic. It makes for fine low-stakes drama. It doesn't really play up the strengths or weaknesses of JD, so unless you have a hopeless hate-on for him, it shouldn't bother you.
At present, IMDb gives HE a 6.7, which I perceive as average. I can respect that, tho I personally vote higher.
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