Although this film was released ON Netflix in 2017, I just got a chance to stumble across this witty yet charming coming-of-age drama, The Incredible Jessica James. Directed by American screenwriter and film director – James Strouse who is well known for his films such as Love Again, Lonesome Jim and Grace is Gone, Strouse has also written this film as well.
Starring Jessica Williams in the lead as Jessica James who is well known for her roles in Crying in Public, Delivery Man and People Places and Things, Jessica has surely outdone herself in her highly charismatic and daunting role as she not only balances a breakup but also navigates her way through her grief by developing a romantic relationship simultaneously.
Known to be a fiercely independent woman, Jessica is also a teacher at a children’s theatre workshop in Hell’s Kitchen. With LaKeith Stanfeild playing the role of her ex-boyfriend Damon, LaKeith is seen as a heartbroken man who hasn’t been able to fathom the depths of the breakup. Doubting her career as a playwright and lashing out at work, Jessica has been reduced to an Instagram mess, stalking her ex. She rebounds in a relationship with an emotionally wrecked divorcee – Boone (an Irish actor and comedian Christopher O’Dowd) who is somehow also trying to seek closure from his ex.
One common theme between all of these actors is the thread of being in a broken relationship, whether it is the divorcee- Boone, the protagonist Jessica or the heartbroken ex-boyfriend – Damon.
Simultaneously, Jessica’s submissions are repeatedly rejected, adding some more despair to the film. However, Jessica’s special interest in a student – Shandra (played as Taliyah Whitaker) where she even urges her to participate in a weekend writer’s workshop (which she ultimately did not go for) shows her passion as a woman. While many moments are easy to laugh at, there are also extremely awkward moments which bring in a lot of humour.
Watching The Incredible Jessica James was extremely cathartic and also very encouraging! I would highly recommend this film to anyone.
2 Comments
Good acknowledgement of writing
Thank you 🙂