Jump Tomorrow

I mean the story was simple, production was fine although the budget obviously wasn't in the 10s of millions of dollars and I never quite understood why George and Alicia liked each other so much. But despite all of that I sat in the theater very happy that I took a chance on this one. I think the spartan production made the whole thing seem more real, and since it seemed more real I wanted them to be happy... The characters were all very likeable too, like Gerard and Alicia's aunt. Finally, bonus points for not using subtitles (hey, I understood most of the Espanol!).

A low-budget romantic comedy - one of many in recent years, unfortunately - with unfunniness in all of its inglorious drawn out entirety. Indie movies used to be - whether good or bad - fairly original and stayed away from some basic Hollywood cliché genres: such as the romantic comedy. With all those Grant/Bullock or Hanks/Ryan or Clooney/Pfeiffer sappy movies around, why would an "auteur", an "indie rebel", dirty his hands with that clap-trap? He would, and he will and he wants to because he is a BAD "auteur".

Written/directed by a certain Joel Hopkins, the movie is predictable and dull. The black guy and the attractive female cast are likable enough, but the movie treads very familiar territory. The guy who is supposed to be French (but has more of a Spanish accent, the twit) is supposed to provide most of the laughs but the script is crap and he has no talent. It's sort of like a Hal Hartley film, minus the good dialog and the originality.

George is a young Nigerian American who is due to get married to Sophie, who is coming from Nigeria. George is one day late to pick her up from the airport and she has gone ahead to Niagara Falls for their wedding. George bumps into Gerard, who is on the point of suicide from unreturned love, and the pair travel up to Niagara Falls. On the way George meets Alicia, herself in a relationship and he begins to fall for her.

Extended from a short I haven't yet seen (Jorge) this film attracted me as it was part of a season of `indie' films and shorts being shown on channel 4. From the opening scenes it was apparent that this film had a nicely comic tone to it that was amusing. The plot is also `nice', a romance without ever getting too heavy or too sickly sweet. The comic feel running through the film keeps it amusing even when nothing much happens.

The film's weakness is that it is clearly made by a director of shorts. The feel of the film is like that of many short films – development is not the key and it assumes we sort of know the characters well enough after only a few minutes. Similarly the film feels very episodic – the scenes don't flow into each other but feel more like they are very distinct and separate events. However that said the film is still entertaining but it didn't give me more as the film went on – rather just more of the same. I enjoyed the film but it's hard to praise it simply because it doesn't excel itself in any one area but drifts along amiably enough.

Part of the reason I enjoyed the film was a great lead by Adebimpe, who fits the role like a glove! He is suitably uptight and is very good as George. Verbeke's Alicia is not as good but is `nice'. Girardot is great fun and really gives the film some energy.

Overall I enjoyed this film and many others will as long as you're in the mood for something slight. If you expect something more substantial then you may be disappointed as this really is a film with all the qualities of a short – in some cases this is good and in others it is a weakness. Generally the film was `nice', I neither loved nor hated it but did enjoy it – I just can't find a better way of putting it as I did think it was remarkably middle of the road in many regards.

This movie is very light. All characters are very well in there roles, specially Natalia Verbeke, that is very beautiful and passional in this movie. And i can't forget about the score. All musics are very similar to brazilian "bossa nova". The soundtrack gives a very pleasant atmosphere to this movie.

This is what a genuine love story should be all about. I was amazed I had never heard of this film and how truly good it is. The writing, directing and acting are truly superb. All the characters are likable, except the obvious ones, and one seems to form a bond with them. Whether it be true friendship, love, emotions, feelings... well, this film has it all. There is great chemistry between Adebimpe and Verbeke. Girardot serves as a dysfunctional guardian angel to Adebimpe and as comic relief in scenes where there is supposed to be some tension. Although, this film is completely hilarious. Love may not be a science, but it is honestly such a complex subject to understand. Just go with the flow and watch this excellent film.