A limo driver's blind date sparks a tale of love, betrayal, friendship, and grace centered around two working-class New York City couples.
It’s all a tad schematic, and the direction is workmanlike but cautious.
Jack Goes Boating’s subtle and occasionally poetic dissection of ordinary life in the Queens district is more of a theatrical rather than a cinematic experience, but is no less enjoyable for that.
Philip Seymour Hoffman puts his oar in with a tender, thoughtful adaption of Robert Glaudini's stage play. A little too measured to deliver an emotional punch, it's nevertheless beautifully acted and at times rather lovely.
Interesting and amusing, if ultimately uninvolving.
Events take a turn for actors’ workshop territory with much emoting in the marsh.
An enjoyably old-fashioned ensemble piece.
There’s no faulting the acting, but even though the characters are well drawn and not unsympathetic, they’re a difficult bunch to want to spend an entire movie with.
Jack Goes Boating is a plaintive, sensitively-handled tale reminiscent of vintage Hollywood dramas such as Marty that knew how to tell such stories without seeming quite so self-conscious.
Hoffman’s directorial debut is the sort of quasi-indie, Sundance-friendly film actors of his stature often make when taking a break from high-paying studio work.
Take Jack’s lead and give this one a miss.
A welcome relief to that shiny-quirky gloss they slap on so many indies.
It's scrappy, minor-key stuff, competently handled.
Heartfelt and humane, it's also a deeply forgettable movie.
The movie is a quirky updating of the 1955 Oscar-winner Marty, but less hard-edged.
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Friday November 4, 2011, until Thursday November 10, 2011. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
General release. Check local listings for show times.
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday December 2, 2011, until Thursday December 8, 2011. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
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