A Kid Like Jake

This film tells a story of two parents who struggle to come to terms with their young sons gender non conformity.

I had no idea what the story was about when I watched it, so initially I thought it was about tiger mums. Then, when the gender subplot kicks in, I find it fascinating and emotional. It tells a compelling journey to get to where they need to get to. I'm impressed by the film. Well done!

It's 2018, so it was only a matter or time before a movie like this was made. I think much like what this movie is about, it struggles to find what it wants to be. I don't think this movie is a fair representation of what a family goes through when their kid struggles with finding their identity. I don't disagree with making a movie like this and raising awareness, but this was poorly executed. Don't get lost in the higher profiles actors and be fooled that this good.

With parents and teachers like these, that kid doesn't stand a chance. This movie could be a documentary on how to destroy a child's future. This is a household where the parents are at best confused, and probably too immature to raise a child. There are no boundaries, no expectations and no one has the courage to put a disruptive non conforming child in his place. You want a messed up kid? Follow this example.

I think if you're somewhat interested in the subject don't let the bad reviews scare you away. It's a decent drama and I did like the acting from both of the leading stars. It is clearly not about Jake but for me that was already obvious from the trailer. It's about parenting and trying to figure out what is best you can do for your kid, I think it addressed valid insecurities, worries and questions and feels like watching real-life problems of the parents

SPOILER: Given that this was originally written as a play, it may be unavoidable that most of the story is of the adults. Jake's father is a Freudian-style psychologist, and there is a fair degree of filler as he repeatedly meets with a client. Jake's mother has had ballet training, had worked as a lawyer, but dropped out to be a full-time mother, to the disapproval of HER mother.

Filled with fairy tales read by his mother, there is little attempt by either parent to "correct" Jake's non-gender-conforming behavior - wearing dresses, playing the role of princess. Even at a queer-friendly pre-school, there are signs of trouble. Things get worse when the parents try to place Jake in a private kindergarten, where trial placements often end up with verbal abuse and fights.

The entire story happens over maybe 8 months, so there is no answer to the question as to whether Jake grows out non-conforming behavior, or actually identifies as a girl. I did note that Jake's last scene had him wearing not a dress but a tutu. Was it all simply his mother's influence?