A Kid Like Jake

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

I'm surprised at the number of reviews complaining that the character of Jake doesn't get enough screen time. As a non-parent I was glad to see that this story focuses on a set of parents that truly cannot see what the world including Jake can see. I think the writing and performances allowed me to grasp what it must be like to be a parent and be deaf and blind to others' (unsolicited and solicited) opinions. As with any parents' story this showed their strengths and weaknesses. Definitely worth watching.

To me, this movie portrayed parents so worried about their child being a victim of gender "expansion", that they missed the point that he was exhibiting aggressive behavior and stubbornness issues. Also, I love and adore Jim Parsons, but it was painful watching him attempt to portray a straight man....just as it is painful to watch the straight Eric McCormack attempt to portray a gay man. It just doesn't work.

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.

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?