A Journal for Jordan

The more Hollywood produces biopics, the more we are offered films about the everyday person being put in an amazing and impossible situations. It was common--and still is--to see films based on true stories about famous people, but now, the importance of witnessing true stories about everyday people in all walks of life in difficult situations has practically become vogue. Films like "The Impossible", "Lion", "The Butler", and the like were all about people that we had never heard of, but seeing what events they persevered through were captivating. Now we have "A Journal for Jordan" to add to that ever growing list. 

This is based on the true story of First Sergeant Charles Monroe King (Michael B. Jordan), a soldier deployed to Iraq who begins to keep a journal of love and advice for his infant son. Back at home, senior New York Times editor Dana Canedy (Chante Adams) revisits the story of her unlikely, life-altering relationship with King and his enduring devotion to her and their child. Before he is killed in action in Baghdad, he authors a sweeping account of a once-in-a-lifetime love for his son Jordan (Jalon Christian) so he can refer to it through life to show him how to live a decent life despite growing up without a father. The film is a powerful reminder of the extreme importance of family and the the realization that besides faith, family is, or at least should be, what life is all about. 

Others to round out the cast are Robert Wisdom as Sgt. T.J. Canedy, Tamara Tunie as Penny Canedy, Jasmine Batchelor as Gwen Canedy, Marchant Davis as Mike Canedy, Susan Pourfar as Miriam, Vanessa Aspillaga as Robin, Grey Henson as Ciro/friend, Johnny M. Wu as Manny, David Wilson Barnes as Schaefer and Spencer Squire as Rosenblum.

This film was incredibly well detailed in its direction by Denzel Washington ("Antwone Fisher" '02, "The Great Debaters" '07, "Fences" '16) plus TV. Although Washington doesn't have a plethora of theatrical film experience in the director's chair, what he misses in quantity, he more than makes up for quality. Assuredly, the reason for this is that he is an actor's director, especially since he is an accomplished actor himself. He truly knows what it takes to empathize with an actor to know what it takes to get them to emit that certain emotion that needs to happen to convey to the audience what's definitely happening given a certain scene. His "Fences" was not only well acted by him and Viola Davis, it was brilliantly helmed by him as well. This was crafted well by writer Virgil Williams ("Mudbound" '17) plus a ton of TV, based on the personal journey by Charles Monroe King and the book by Dana Canedy. This was told by Dana as a series of flashbacks detailing her meeting Charles, their dating, and subsequently baring a child, whose name is Jordan. It goes from present, then goes back to the past, and then back again to present, etc. In creating this writing, which is not totally a new concept, there were a couple of very small issues with continuity within the scope of the script, otherwise this screenplay was spot on. The performances by both Michael B. Jordan and Chante Adams were strong with great chemistry. With this being the only feature this writer has under his belt, I am amazed that this displayed the quality that it did, and with this he will certainly receive more work. 

This is an amazingly well crafted film about love, family, sacrifice and compassion all with a military backdrop. Washington shows us how important family is, or certainly should be. In this day and age, family has become not as important as it used to be, but after watching this, it should give anyone a shot in the arm convincing them how imperative the family unit actually is. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                               Rated: PG-13                                              131mins.