director Ron Howard has publicly expressed his surprise and disappointment regarding JD Vance's recent political rhetoric Howard who directed the film hilbilly elegy shared his feelings about Vance's shift in political stance and the impact it has had on him personally the director was taken aback by Vance's statements which he feels diverge from the themes and messages of the film Howard's comments reflect the broader discussion about the intersection of personal beliefs and public personas highlighting the complexities faced by individuals involved in both politics and entertainment