Jake Squared

"Jake Squared" wasn't really what I had expected it to be. And truth be told, for a comedy/drama, then the movie didn't really offer that much to laugh about.

The story is about aging movie-maker Jake, who is working on a new project, when unannounced his former selves start to appear in order to help him figure out what it is that he is searching for.

I will say that the story was somewhat wasted on me, and I didn't really find it all that appealing or interesting. And the movie tended to drag on for quite a long while.

However, what made the movie watchable was the solid acting performances by the cast. And especially Elias Koteas was really carrying the movie so nicely.

"Jake Squared" is not really a movie for just everyone, and I find it to be something of an acquired taste. I wasn't really entertained by it, and as such I am rating the movie just below average; 4 out of 10 stars.

What an excruciatingly awful movie. Painfully obvious and superficial Woody Allen imitation that not only never takes off but seems to revel in the most square and out-of-date aspects of the ol' Woodman's work: Ultra-sincerity, Oblivious Self-Absorption and Cornball, Throwback Would-be humor. Nothing in this film worked except Elias Koteas' heroic performance which almost succeeds in making director Howard Goldberg's suffering d-bag of a protagonist seem human. Almost.

I was invited by a friend to a private screening in Los Angeles. I have never wrote a review before but felt compelled to write about this movie.

The main character Jake was humorous yet intense and internal in his musings of himself and his desire ( maybe ) his pursuit ( possibly ) his angst, ( for sure ) Desire for love.

Jake, looked through all of his selves, at the one thing he feels was lacking ( true Love ) caught up in the lifestyle of easy pleasure, he vacillates between commitment to himself and his ways, and commitment to what he believes he is supposed to feel.

The back and forth between the characters ( of himself ) left me dizzy with thoughts of fights I've had with myself over which way to go with love interests.

The supporting cast. Virginia Madsen, Leigh and the completely sexy Jane Seymour were out of this world awesome.

I say to see it 5 times, as I believe that each time you see it, you will see a different film, based on your daily point of view.

in short, three words ex cel lent!!!

Looking back through the years and coming to terms with the obsessions that haunt us is generally speaking a love/ hate experience.

Unless it is done through the eyes of Elias Koteas, then it is pure love. Some actors are a genuine pleasure to watch, and Koteas is one of them.

Who doesn't wonder if it could have gone different, if it could have been better, or if it should all just be forgotten. Who doesn't wonder if maybe we blew all our best chances,and if so, whether any more will ever come along to help us forget the ones we screwed up. This movie has solid laughs and plenty to reflect about, I totally enjoyed this quirky, how-did-I-get-here, party!

This. This right here is why I watch movies. The makers of this film, in particular the writer, should be applauded for their seamless execution, invigorating originality and heartfelt, genuine warmth they have wrought in this offbeat, dense yet lighthearted dramedy. Jake Klein (Elias Koteas) is a 50 something movie director, who in the midst of making an autobiographical film set at his Hollywood home, in visited by manifestations of his former self at various stages of his life, manifestations who not only himself, but his family, cast and crew of the movie can see and interact with, providing moments of confusion at first, but also wickedly funny wordplay, introspective contemplation, and ultimately the answer to the missing piece: why has Jake never been able to find the right girl to 'fall in love' with and settle down to. The almost supernatural like format of the plot takes some time getting used to, but is so ingeniously executed, and so enjoyable, it pulls you right in and glues you to the story till the conclusion (or at least it did for me. The extremely underrated and woefully misused Elias Koteas gives the performance of his career as 3 similar yet wildly hilarious different versions of Jake, giving the character the right amounts of pathos, dry humour and just a touch of self deprecation, and warmth. It really is a remarkable performance. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Virginia Madsen, Jane Seymour, Kevin Railsback, Liana Liberato and many more give wonderful support as various people in his life. This is one of those rare indie films that although won't be seen by many people, if given the chance by people in the mood for something of its kind, is an amazingly rewarding, smart, funny, innovative and engaging piece.