Netflix to the rescue--an amusing romcom with a few new tricks and a bright actress.
The Incredible Jessica James
Grade: A-
Director: Jim Strouse (Grace is Gone)
Screenplay: Strouse
Cast: Jessica Williams (Booksmart), Chris O’Dowd (Juliet Naked)
Runtime: 1h 25m
By: John DeSando
“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.
John DeSando, a Los Angeles Press Club first-place winner for National Entertainment Journalism, hosts WCBE’s It’s Movie Time and co-hosts Cinema Classics. Contact him at JohnDeSando62@gmail.com.
