SummaryJack is a limo driver with vague dreams of landing a job with the MTA and an obsession with reggae that has prompted him to begin a half-hearted attempt at growing dreadlocks. He spends most of his time hanging out with his best friend and fellow driver Clyde and Clyde’s wife Lucy. The couple set Jack up with Connie, Lucy’s co-worker at a Brookly... Read More
Directed By:Philip Seymour Hoffman
Written By:Robert Glaudini
Jack Goes Boating
Metascore
Generally Favorable
64
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
64
70% Positive
19 Reviews
19 Reviews
30% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
83
It's the kind of story that can look pedestrian on paper, but when brought to life this skillfully, proves to be genuinely inspiring.
75
A low energy romance, a movie that rewards a filmgoer with the patience to let this affair play itself out. Sink or swim, Connie and Jack will come out of this changed. And so will we.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
56% Positive
15 Ratings
15 Ratings
33% Mixed
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
11% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Feb 16, 2014
10
No glamour here. Just unparalleled acting from Hoffman, Amy Ryan, John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega and the rest of the cast. A strong, tender movie. There's an astonishing moment near the end of the film that showcases Philip Seymour Hoffman's power. A great story from Robert Glaudini. Excellent use of life, and NYC, as characters, too.
Sep 18, 2010
10
What a wonderful film. An honest, intimate, and warm portrayal of three relationships involving four people: two couples and the close friendship of two men played by Philip Seymour Hoffman and John Ruiz. The movie was made by Hoffman - his first as a director. The soundtrack and cinematography add depth to this adaptation of a stage play. "Jack Goes Boating" is at times hilarious, yet also sad. It almost has feel of a European movie with small apartments and normal looking people. Forget the golden light, the million dollar homes, or gorgeous babes that usually populate Hollywood love stories. This is working class New York, gritty, and at times ugly, but always alert, alive and, yes.... real. The acting is first rate, with Amy Ryan at her very best. A film for adults. Truly.
70
Making his feature directing debut, Hoffman shows considerable generosity toward the other players, which was probably a good idea given his own listless performance as the mumbling title character.
70
Hoffman emerges as a confident film director with visual flair and, no surprise, a remarkable ability to maximize his fellow actors' work.
63
Jack Goes Boating won't knock you over, but it lulls you with its slow-warming heart.
50
Ultimately, though, Jack Goes Boating is too much of a banal thing. Jack's a good guy, and you root for him all the way to the end, but, wistfully, that doesn't make him an any more interesting everyday Joe than he is.
40
Hoffman predictably knocks a familiar role out of the park (and just as unsurprisingly, wrings excellence from his performers) in this rather trivial, downbeat four-hander about a working-class couple trying to connect during a Gotham winter.
Oct 3, 2010
8
A beautifully told story about life finding meaning through love. The pace is a bit slow at times or I'd give this movie a ten. The supporting cast is excellent, the dialogue is honest and Hoffman does an able job of helming his first film.
Oct 2, 2010
7
Sweet and subtle until it becomes needlessly jarring and the wheels come off for a short time. The film recovers fairly well, but left me wondering why some choices were made... In any case, Hoffman is superb and delightful to watch as is Ryan. Overall a great film for a mature audience willing to revel in the small things and go along for the ride. Go relaxed, with a clear and open mind and enjoy.
May 25, 2011
3
I was expecting one of those movies where nothing happens, yet everything happens but in this case nothing does happen. Even Hoffman could not save this movie. Its like Punch Drunk love without the good parts. The only good thing is the Goldfrapp and Fleet foxes songs.
Sep 24, 2010
3
I'm such a huge fan of Hoffman that I went wanting (and expecting) to like this film but alas, I couldn't. I found it incoherent. Yes, the acting is wonderful but when all is said and done, so what? Great acting alone cannot make a great film. There needs to be **** there isn't. Too bad.
Production Company:
- Big Beach
- Cooper's Town Productions
- Labyrinth Theater Company
- Olfactory Productions
Release Date:Sep 17, 2010
Duration:1 h 29 m
Rating:R
Tagline:In love you either sink or swim
Awards
Chlotrudis Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 3 Nominations
Gotham Awards
• 1 Nomination
