The Incredible Jessica James
Description
As an aspiring playwright and children’s theater coach on the rebound from a long-term relationship, former Daily Show correspondent Jessica Williams brings her unique mixture of blunt outspokenness and warm vulnerability to this low-key comedy about the search for love and success in New York City. In a role written specifically for her, Williams plays the smart, confident, and vivacious titular character. Nevertheless, like many modern women, she’s having trouble in the romance department and still pines for her ex-boyfriend Damon (Get Out‘s Lakeith Stanfield). When she goes on a blind date with a divorced app designer named Boone (Chris O’Dowd), their oil-and-water personalities don’t mesh. She seems to have no off button while he is quiet and hesitant. But just like other terrific romantic comedies, there is great entertainment pleasure derived from watching these two disparate characters strike sparks together. Williams shows almost infinite levels of charisma and energy while O’Dowd matches her with his lower-key, easy-going charm. With The Incredible Jessica James, veteran writer-director Strouse (who worked with Williams on People Places Things in 2015) has made the perfect date-night movie for the Tinder era.
Jim Strouse began his career as a screenwriter, penning the Steve Buscemi drama Lonesome Jim (2005). He made his directing debut with Grace Is Gone (2007), which garnered the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and Dramatic Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, as well as the Critics Award at the Deauville Film Festival. His other films are The Winning Season (2009), People Places Things (2015), and The Incredible Jessica James (2016). He also wrote the screenplay for The Hollars (2016).
Film Details
Language English
Year 2016
Runtime 83
Country USA
Director Jim Strouse
Producer Michael B. Clark, Alex Turtletaub
Writer Jim Strouse
Editor Jesse Gordon, Mollie Goldstein
Cinematographer Sean McElwee
Music Keegan DeWitt
Cast Jessica Williams, Chris O'Dowd, Noël Wells, Lakeith Stanfield