Jake Squared

I've never written a review for a movie before though I have worked in the movie business for a long time! I saw this movie at the Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles.

Here's what I think:

You will be given countless opportunities to see movies about perfect people (portraying underdogs) saving a town/country/world/universe BUT very few chances to see a movie that teaches you something interesting and new about the human condition. This movie succeeds in illuminating the human condition, especially aging men looking for love. I have had daydreams similar to several scenes in this movie, but could not articulate them like Howard Goldberg does. The movie is very "meta"; it's self-reflexive and self-deprecating. Elias Koteas plays four different ages of himself and they talk to each other (along with other actors playing his character). Some of his acting and Goldberg's writing reminded me of conversations I've had with myself, and at other times it reminded me of things I've talked to my father about. To me there are very few movies that really discuss what it's like to be a man. Not a macho man, or a sex crazed man, but just a man, warts and all. This movie really shows it, the loneliness, the need for love, the second guessing, and a lot more. It still funny, and wonderfully acted, and stressful. I never knew what was coming, because of its originality.

I don't want to give away too much, just go see it.

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obvious and superficial Woody Allen imitation that not only never takes off but seems to revel in the most square and out-of-date aspects of the ol' Woodman's work: Ultra-sincerity, Oblivious Self-Absorption and Cornball, Throwback Would-be humor.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.

"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.

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.

I can't tell you enough how much you and your film inspired me to challenge the audience and really give them something to think about. Jake Squared is still resonating with me today just making me think about my life and where I was 10 years ago, where I am now, and where I will be 10 years from now in all aspects of my life. It was incredibly well acted from everybody involved as well as beautiful to look at.

Please go and see this and unlink most films out nowadays, bring your brain. It is well worth the exercise in existential thought.

One of my favorite films I have seen all year that leaves me waiting to see it again and again just so I can really grasp every aspect that this film offers.