Film Review: A JOURNAL FOR JORDAN (2021): Denzel Washington Directs a Well-Meaning Sentimental Drama

A Journal for Jordan Review

A Journal for Jordan (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Denzel Washington and starring Michael B. Jordan, Chante Adams, Jalon Christian, Robert Wisdom, Tamara Tunie, Jasmine Batchelor, Marchant Davis, Susan Pourfar, Vanessa Aspillaga, Grey Henson, Johnny M Wu, David Wilson Barnes, Spencer Squire, Melanie Nicholls-King, Annabel O’Hagan, Samuel Caleb Walker and Cleveland Berto.

Denzel Washington’s new directorial effort, A Journal for Jordan, is the type of romantic tearjerker that Hollywood doesn’t make much anymore. Don’t ask me why these movies stopped being made. I always enjoyed them when they were immensely popular. These types of films were huge in the 1990’s and early 2000’s but disappeared quietly and without a trace, for the most part anyway. Think Up Close & Personal or Message in a Bottle, for example, although there are probably more direct comparisons that can be made. Washington has brought back the romantic tearjerker to the screen with his new film and it’s an effective, if not entirely successful, picture with two interesting performers in the lead parts.

This new picture has two immensely likable stars in the principal roles. Michael B. Jordan and Chante Adams certainly have enough on-screen chemistry to captivate viewers but the movie isn’t told straightforwardly which is a slight problem. It goes back and forth in time a bit and although it isn’t difficult to follow, I’m not entirely sure the story needed to be told like this. It would have been better for the story to flow from beginning to end without abrupt jumps in time throughout the movie.

A Journal for Jordan is based on a memoir by Dana Canedy. In the literary world, authors tend to score points by jumping back and forth in time with their stories but in the film world, it’s only successful some of the time. Titanic managed to succeed quite well with flashback sequences telling the majority of the story, for example. Nevertheless, this “back and forth” structure takes some getting used to during the first half hour of A Journal for Jordan. However, the structure eventually works well enough to enjoy the movie thanks to the quality of the performances.

Dana Canedy (played by Chante Adams) was a reporter for The New York Times who unexpectedly fell in love with First Sergeant Charles Monroe King (Michael B. Jordan). These characters meet in the late 1990’s just a few years before 9/11. Dana meets Charles when he visits her father’s house. Charles has a daughter and is on the verge of a divorce and three weeks after he gets Dana’s number, he finally calls her and Dana couldn’t be happier. Charles’ other passion besides serving his country is art and he would love to visit New York and go to a museum one day. When Charles comes to New York and stays with Dana, she initially sets him up on the couch but it’s easy to guess that they will soon share a bed together.

Charles and Dana enter into a passionate affair in which they learn to accept each other despite their obvious differences. She’s a career driven woman who lives in the big city and is soon going to get a promotion which will require her to work hard and he’s always going to be leaving for whatever service he is needed for. It will be hard to sustain their long distance relationship but their love for each other shines throughout even when they have their own personal issues.

Michael B. Jordan is outstanding in his role as a gentleman who respects Dana in every way. Adams has many excellent scenes opposite Jordan and one truly stands out. It’s the one where Dana tells Charles that he could have sex with another woman if he desires to when he is unable to be around her. Charles responds by telling her they’re together and that would never happen and also reminds her to be faithful to him as he is to her. It’s a terrific, authentic scene. I also liked the scene where our two lovers discuss Broadway shows and Off-Broadway plays and the difference between them. They also talk about Off-Off Broadway as well and the discussion ends with a romantic kiss.

The supporting cast is solid with some true standouts. Jalon Christian, in particular, as the couple’s son, Jordan, is absolutely outstanding especially in the later emotional scenes of the film which I won’t reveal details of to avoid spoilers. Christian brings plenty of passion to his delicate role. Another notable turn is that of Robert Wisdom as Dana’s dad who keeps his character relatable and realistic. Susan Pourfar and Grey Henson put in nice smaller performances as Dana’s friends who encourage her to pursue her passion for Charles.

The journal of the movie’s title is dedicated to Jordan by his parents and features writings from his father Charles about family, love and life and how to handle problems that come up throughout the journey Jordan will embark on called life. There are some touching scenes towards the end of the movie that work extremely well thanks to fine direction by Washington.

Besides the movie’s main flaw of not being told chronologically, there are some arguments between Dana and Charles that sometimes get in the way of the love story’s deep romantic message. For example, when Charles is away and is supposed to meet with Dana, he stays with a friend at the hospital and doesn’t let her know right away. This friend of Charles should have had a bigger part in the movie to make us understand why Charles would give up being on time for an important meet-up with the love of his life. The overall film is still nevertheless enjoyable despite this key issue.

A Journal for Jordan is a well made film by Denzel Washington. It’s far from perfect but Michael B. Jordan and Chante Adams have some sizzling scenes together that will make romance fans feel more than satisfied. There are also important messages about family that make the film stand out as a sincere, heartfelt offering that should be seen.

Rating: 7/10

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