Posted yesterday at 12:30 p.m.
Five years after bringing the play to the screen Fences, by August Wilson, Denzel Washington was inspired by an essay in which the journalist Dana Canedy recounted the lessons that his spouse, then gone to war, had written down for their son. The story is of course edifying. And puts forward values of decency and respect by trying to answer questions relating to masculinity. What is learning to be a man, after all?
A Journal for Jordan (A diary for Jordan in French version) is the fourth feature film signed by the interpreter of Malcolm X (Spike Lee) as a filmmaker, the first in which he gave himself no role. Michael B. Jordan, direct heir of the one who directs it, takes over here by lending his features to Charles Monroe King, a character that Denzel Washington could have interpreted with his eyes closed not so long ago.
Continuing his approach by addressing recurring themes in the feature films he directs, Denzel Washington however has a bit of a heavy hand this time. In this regard, he does not always avoid excessive sentimentality. Also, the screenplay by Virgil Williams (Mudbound) focuses much more on the highs and lows of the love story that linked the journalist and the soldier rather than on what really should have been the heart of the subject: the quest of a son about his father . This part finally occupies only the second part of the story.
This drama, based on a true story, nevertheless has some poignant moments, especially since Michael B. Jordan (Creed) and Chanté Adams (Monsters and Men) form a very credible, very engaging film couple.
In VOD
Drama
A Journal for Jordan
(VF A diary for Jordan)
Denzel Washington
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Chanté Adams, Jalon Christian
2:11 a.m.