DVD Reviews

Jack Goes Boating – DVD Review

By June L. Jan 31, 2011, 15:13 GMT

Jack (Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, making his directorial debut) and Connie (Amy Ryan) are two single people who on their own might continue to recede into the anonymous background of New York City, but in each other begin to find the courage and desire to pursue a budding relationship. As Jack and Connie cautiously circle commitment, the couple that introduced them, Clyde (John Ortiz) and Lucy (Daphne Rubin-Vega), ...more

Two sweet lonely souls meet and begin changing for the better as they pursue a relationship.  But will the friends who introduced them completely sabotage any hopes they have of lasting happiness? 

Philip Seymour Hoffman demonstrates once again his incredible talent as an actor, and adds to his credits a stunning directorial debut in Jack Goes Boating.

Jack (Philip Seymour Hoffman)  and Clyde (John Ortiz) work for a limousine service owned by Jack’s uncle in New York City.  Clyde and his girlfriend Lucy (Daphne Rubin-Vega) set up a date between Jack and Lucy’s coworker Connie (Amy Ryan).  Both Jack and Connie are ordinary people, with problems that seem to nearly swallow their lives, until they meet. 

Something sparks between them, and although the relationship moves slowly by modern standards, they each strive to become better in hopes that will keep them together.  It is the dead of winter when they have their first date, but Jack has dreams of taking Connie boating when summer comes. 

This dream has one drawback, Jack can’t swim.  Clyde offers swimming lessons and in Walter Mitty-esque visions both in the pool and outside, Jack sees himself swimming, and being a success.  From the visions, he progresses to perfection swimming like a a professional.  He finds a new goal in cooking a special dinner for Connie, and uses the visions as he learns to cook. 

At this point Clyde and Lucy, who have been reassessing their relationship unwittingly throw some bumps in the road threatening Jack’s confidence and Connie’s trust.  Connie has been working on herself, and in spite of setbacks moves towards Jack in some of the tenderest and touching scenes.  The audience is behind this romance 100%, but we don’t know until the end if it can really work. 

This film began life as an off-Broadway play by Bob Glaudini, and has come to film retaining many of the original cast.  Philip Seymour Hoffman worked with Glaudini to expand the scenes for Jack, giving him more movement for the film, expanding on things that were only referred to in the play. 

Production designer Therese DePrez searched for obscure but fitting locations within New York City to film, giving it an authenticity that shines through the story. 

The City is as much a character as Jack and Connie, Clyde and Lucy and the rest of the cast, it plays a role in every scene, so the locations had to be on target.  Audiences will believe in the story, it could be happening in the City right at this moment. 

The characters make viewers care about them, hopeful for their successes and heartbroken for their troubles.  One feels the love that Clyde has for his friend Jack, and the care that Lucy has for her friend Connie, and the growing closeness of Jack and Connie.
 
Jack Goes Boating DVD is presented on single disc, widescreen, with a running time of 91 minutes.  Not for kids, the film is rated R for language, drug use and some sexual references.  Special Features included are “Jack’s New York” which is a featurette exploring the City as important to the story as one of the characters. Discussions with the cast and the production designer Therese DePrez point out favorite locations, and why they love New York City. 

“From The Stage to The Big Screen” follows the journey from Bob Gauldini’s original play to the screenplay and the elements that change from Stage to Film.  In addition to locations and expanded scenes, there are some changes within some of the characters, specifically that of Lucy according to actress Daphne Rubin-Vega. 

A solid, well acted and beautifully produced film, this slice of life story will be a favorite with all Hoffman fans as well as those who love New York City.

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