Jump Tomorrow
Disco bunnies. George and Gerard meet a couple of new friends at the Love Lodge...
dir-scr Joel Hopkins
with Tunde Adebimpe, Hippolyte Girardot, Natalia Verbeke, James Wilby, Patricia Mauceri, Gene Ruffini, Isiah Whitlock Jr, Kaili Vernoff, Abiola Wendy Abrams, Cherie Jimenez, Amy Sedaris
release US 6.Jul.01; UK 9.Nov.01
FilmFour
01/US 1h36

3 out of 5 stars
R E V I E W   B Y   R I C H   C L I N E
live a little first With a groovy '60s vibe, this UK-produced American film is a breezy rom-com road movie. George (Adebimpe), a Nigerian-American, is only three days from getting married to a friend he hasn't seen since childhood when he befriends the Frenchman Gerard (Hippolyte), whose girlfriend just spurned his marriage proposal. They decide to drive to George's wedding in Niagara Falls, but along the way their paths keep crossing with a Spanish woman (Verbeke) who has caught George's eye. Problem is, she's taking her arty British boyfriend (Wilby) home to meet Mama (Mauceri).

The ethnic mix works cleverly as writer-director Hopkins keeps things zany and cute, using a vintage Citroen and a Euro-soundtrack like a 1965 Claudia Cardinale comedy. It's more than a little silly, drawing much of the humour from placing the square George in a series of wacky situations. It's hard to get too involved when it's clear from the start who will end up with whom (mostly because their other relationships aren't secure to begin with). And it does seem to drag on a bit, as the increasingly long journey gets less and less logical. But it's very endearing, the cast members are quite likeable, and there are nice touches throughout, especially in the use of multiple languages and cultural backgrounds.
adult themes cert <B>12</B> 6.Nov.01

R E A D E R   R E V I E W S
live a little first send your review to Shadows... Nas, Manchester: 5 out of 5 stars "What a simple, joyous film. Just shows what you can do with talent. Trumps most Hollywood films dead. A modern romantic fantasy that leaves you elated and carefree. We need more of this stuff in these turbulent times! You can realate to the characters from the start and develop and empathy for them all. Superbly acted, well crafted ... what a debut film." (2.Oct.01)
© 2001 by Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

HOME | AWARDS | NEWS | FESTIVAL | Q&A | ABOUT | TALKBACK