The Incredible Jessica James

I'm not quite sure why there are such low ratings or the insulting reviews on here...I don't much care for romantic anything, but this movie was very good. Jessica Williams is an underrated actress and was very funny. What says every romantic comedy should be a fairytale that's not how life really works now, is it? I think this is an excellent watch; don't scroll pass it!!

This is one of back to back Netflix films I've watched. This is from one of the best directors, but he has not done many films or with big stars, big projects. I've liked all his films, but this one was an average. There's nothing wrong in performances or in writing, directing and production. It's just not so fresh. I felt it trying to be another 'Frances Ha'. For a movie goer like me, this is quite okay film, but for regular people, it could do better.

The story of a young woman who just broke up, but focusing more than ever on her dream to be a play writer. In the meantime, she meets another man who recently divorced. Her lifestyle, best friend, all things that's happening around her revealed with some fun. The film was not that great, but surely not a boring film. The dream/imagination sequences spoiled my watch. Because it only brought a false hope. I thought those scenes were better than how the real story progressed. That says, sometimes cliches are okay than being plain. It did not work, but I still suggest to go for it if you are interested. No one should ignore it, only because I did not enjoy it!

4/10

"Of course you like me. Everybody does. I'm freaking dope." Jessica James (Jessica Williams)

Of course you will like the character Jessica as much as you like the actress Jessica Williams because Williams is a screen natural. She's a commanding presence just as Greta Gerwig is playing a 20 something trying to make it in the big city.

In the case of The Incredible Jessica James, Jess is 25 and trying to get a play accepted despite the numerous rejections that would have sent a lesser woman back to Ohio. Her singular contribution in life is teaching public school kids acting for a non-profit. She's caring and effective with the kids but still longing to stage a play in the city.

Having just split up with the charming Damon (LaKeith Stanfield), she connects gently with the more charming Boone (Chris O'Dowd), who reads all of her plays and responds favorably. Unlike other city girls such as in Lena Dunham's Girls or Issa Rae's Insecure, Jess is at peace most of the time, kind and charismatic, a character to root for with less than an hour and a half of comedy drama time.

In quarantine time, The Incredible Jessica James is good company.

So I came into this as a fan of Jessica Williams from the Daily Show, and hoping I would enjoy the film. It starts out a little rough, as I found Jessica's acting to be a little wooden, but as the movie went on, I felt like her acting really improved, especially with all of her scenes with her students. The beginning of the film is definitely the weakest part, as the character isn't likable, and the dialogue especially with her friend felt very forced. However, similar to her acting, as the movie progressed it greatly improved.

At its core, this movie is a retread of just about every Romantic Comedy cliché, but surrounding this core is the meat of the film examining a modern day artistic black woman that came from a broken family. The movie examines a lot of Jessica's backstory through her teaching of the children in her class, where she's trying to pass on her love of creative writing and acting and helping them realize they can do whatever they want in their lives. One student especially mirrors Jessica, as she's a young intelligent black girl whose parents have recently divorced. The movie examines a lot of interesting aspects here, as Jessica turns very vindictive and mean when the student wants to go to six flags for her father's weekend with her instead of a writing retreat. I really enjoyed how the film resolved this conflict, and all of these scenes were probably my favorite parts of the film.

For the romantic comedy part of this film, it's again an interesting take on common tropes. She has a blind date with Chris O'Dowd, and both of them are still in love with their exes, but in spite of their disinterest in a new relationship it starts to form on its own. I enjoyed that the guy wasn't just some guy for her to date, he also has a lot of problems, and their growing relationship feels real as they have pretty good chemistry. There are some odd dream sequences though, where Jessica meets up with her ex, and the scenes read as they're actually happening, but then something crazy happens and it's revealed to have been a dream all along. I understand the dreams purpose, as they're Jessica working through her relationship in her mind, but I just wish it was more apparent they were dream sequences.

There are some really funny moments intermixed with the relationship stuff, along with some really funny scenes when she goes to visit her family. Unfortunately, the scenes with her family were a little too black and white, unlike the rest of the film. Perhaps it was because the writer/director strongly dislikes his family, and it comes out in the movie. It seems like all they do is judge Jessica, and they don't have any redeeming factors.

Overall, I really enjoyed the film despite its flaws, and I would recommend it if you have Netflix. If you'd like to see my video version of this review, you can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGoBeIuKTyk

The reviews are really not encouraging, in my opinion a lovely movie, wonderful acting and wonderful friendship that is forged between Jessica and Boone . Highly recommended!