25. A Journal For Jordan; movie review

 

 

A JOURNAL FOR JORDAN

Cert 12A

131 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate sex, drug misuse, references to racism, brief war violence

By and large, I love the films in which Denzel Washington stars - they tend to have an edge which sets them apart.

Therefore, I was surprised that A Journal For Jordan, a rare Washington-directed film, based on a devastating true story, should be coated in quite as much sugar.

Indeed, for long periods, it felt like a stereotypical chick flick.

I have no problem with that genre but expected a different approach from a movie in which the central characters are a tough New York Times journalist (Chanté Adams) and a hardened frontline soldier (Michael B. Jordan).

The former is between relationships when she meets the latter, an army comrade of her father's, who is in the final stages of a divorce.

While there is an instant chemistry, both are keen to take it slow and, boy, they really do. 

This is akin to a relationship between 13-year-olds with their 'I won't hang up the phone before you' do routines.

Meanwhile, the movie jolts from present to past at such a rate that my head was spinning. Indeed, only during its latter stages, did I realise that the film had not previously been set in the present.

It was in that final 20 minutes or so that the film really comes into its own with a family reaction to tragedy which is genuinely moving.

Otherwise, I have to admit that I found it well-acted but unnecessarily soppy.

Reasons to watch: True story

Reasons to avoid: The schmaltz last too long

Laughs: Three

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Bare bum

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? Born in 1958, Charles Monroe King was 48 when he died in 2006. Actor Michael B. Jordan was just 33 when production on the movie began, making him approximately 15 years younger than King was when he experienced the real-life events.

The final word. Dana Canedy: "He (Denzel Washington) was the right person, obviously, because he's the best at what he does, but he also brought his heart to this and his Christian faith. The combination of those factors assured me that we were in good hands." Screen Rant

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