The Incredible Jessica James review:
The Incredible Jessica James by Paul Heath at the 2017 Sundance London film festival.
The Incredible Jessica James review
Bound for Netflix after a successful sale at this year’s Sundance film festival in Utah back in the winter, Jim Strause’s amusing comedy drama arrives at the London showcase of America’s most famous indie film celebration.
Netflix bagged the worldwide rights for The Incredible Jessica James before it even premiered at Sundance earlier this year, and it’s easy to see why as the film is perfect for the streamer – an engrossing and entertaining tale of lost loves, the dating scene and the performing arts in modern New York City. Much like Boon Jong Ho’s Okja, which just debuted at Cannes, The Incredible Jessica James is a very original film even if one can’t quite work out as to who it is being aimed at.
The story focuses on the Jessica James (Jessica Williams) of the title, a 25-year-old newly single playwright who is starting to put herself back ‘out there’ after a very bitter break-up with Lakeith Stanfield’s phone case designer Damon. Jessica works with a local children’s theatre group along with best friend and aspiring actress Melissa (Megan Ketch), who sets her up on a blind date with Boone (Chris O’Dowd). Boone is also single, the thirty-something newly divorced and still reeling from the split, often seen pacing outside his former partner’s townhouse. The two eventually hook up and formulate a plan to monitor each other’s exes on social media, both of them also establishing an instant bond as they both attempt to come to terms with their inner feelings.
Related: Sundance London 2017: Wilson review
The Incredible Jessica James is engrossing from the off, the film very watchable due to the two very strong performances the centre of the story. The star of the show is definitely Jessica Williams who brings masses amounts of energy, passion and vigour to the title character. This is her biggest lead role to date and she lights up the screen in every scene, stealing most of them from those around her. He equal is Chris O’Dowd in one of his best screen roles to date. His hapless, emotionally tortured Boone is well-written, perfectly executed and he’s also really rather lovely to watch, particularly in his scenes with Williams with whom he shares a delightful chemistry. Lakeith Stanfield solidifies his status as one of the ones to watch as the lost love of Damon, a character very much a supporting one in this, but the actor still manages to bring so much to role. A key stand-out.
Strause’s direction and screenplay is solid an also very inventive. I really liked the opening scenes with Jessica introduced to us via a song and dance number, as well as the animated titles over the same sequence – very reminiscent of early Spike Lee. Of course, many similarities could be made between this and the Brooklyn natives work, but The Incredible Jessica James is oh so very original in so many ways – from its subtle humour, to its dramatic emotional beats and inspiring message.
One of the most enjoyable and original ‘Netflix Originals’ for a while and another shining example of the world changing way in which we experience cinema is changing for the better, one very much led by the online streamer. Exciting times, great movie. Catch it at your earliest convenience.
The Incredible Jessica James review by Paul Heath, June 2017.
The Incredible Jessica James will be released on Netflix in 2017. It premieres at the 2017 Sundance London film festival on June 2nd, 2017.
