Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Jack Goes Boating Blu-ray Movie Review

And he learns to swim and cook, too.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 22, 2011

I like talking to you.

Jack Goes Boating is one of those structurally simple but emotionally satisfying movies about real life, about people discovering who they are and who they can be as they do all they can to get by in life and happily exist in their own little corner of the world. It's a movie about life's ups and downs and finding something that matters through all of the seemingly inconsequential little nothings that fill up the days. It's a movie about a man finding someone who can love him for who he is, not for whom someone wants him to become or whom he is not. Based on Robert Glaudini's stage production of the same name, Jack Goes Boating adapts well to the screen, the film an easily-digestible little slice of the real world captured on film that strives for a modest little happily-ever-after ending in a world where even the most meager of Fairy Tales seem all too few and far between.

First date.

Jack (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Synecdoche, New York ) is a lonely limo driver, but his fate is about to change when his friend Clyde (John Ortiz, Public Enemies) sets him up on a date with a woman named Connie (Amy Ryan, Green Zone) who works with Clyde's wife Lucy (Daphne Rubin-Vega, Wild Things) in a local funeral parlor. Jack and Connie's date goes well; they discover that they're kindred spirits of sorts, both shy and uncertain of themselves and how to act in social situations. Connie expresses a desire to go boating, and a date for the summertime -- which is some months ahead -- is set. The only problem is that Jack doesn't know how to swim, so being the good friend that he is, Clyde takes Jack to the local pool and shows him the ropes. As life happens, Jack and Connie meet again under difficult circumstances which serves only to strengthen their relationship. Jack vows to learn how to cook, too, in hopes of winning over a girl who just might be that rarest of creatures: his soulmate.

Jack Goes Boating is a light Drama that's easy to love for its adherence to real life. The film strives only to capture a snapshot of life for four ordinary people -- their triumphs and failures, as small-scale as they may seem compared to the larger issues of the world around them; their loves won and lost; and their efforts to become better people but at the same time remain true to who they are -- and it's a wonderful success not as a deep character study but instead as an honest examination of all-too-real people who, as the old saying goes, win some and lose some. Jack Goes Boating feels almost like "Woody Allen lite" but with more subtle drama and humor that gives the movie more of a real-life texture that is generally absent from the typical Allen film which feels a bit over-the-top, a little too posh, and dealing in characters who aren't quite as down-to-earth as those in this picture. Indeed, Jack Goes Boating is best described as "real;" there's nothing in the film that seems out of reach, distant, or extraordinary. It's smart for keeping things grounded and low key, and the film's approachability is easily its best asset, save for, perhaps, the dual-purposed Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Hoffman's performance in Jack Goes Boating is typical of the actor's norm; he plays the part with a confidence that's evident in his willingness to portray an imperfect character -- from both emotional and physical perspectives -- striving to become just a little bit better. Hoffman plays "Everyman" extraordinarily well; whether as an out-of-control gambler in the wonderful Owning Mahowny or in Jack Goes Boating as a limousine driver with now slightly increased aspirations thanks to the arrival of a girl in his life who just might be the answer he's been looking for while trying to figure out exactly who he is. He plays a character who knows what he wants but is uncertain of how to get it; he goes to, for him, great lengths to make him a more complete individual when life gives him a purpose to expand beyond the daily grind. Hoffman's innocence and meager desires give the movie a down-to-earth charm; it's infinitely relatable and easily likable. Hoffman also plays the part of director; though his first picture, he handles the admittedly benign and relatively static material with an effortlessness that's as steady and unobtrusive as the film requires. He smartly allows the film to play for the camera rather than forcing the camera into the middle of the action, in a way giving Jack Goes Boating a stage play look that pays tribute to the story's roots.

Jack Goes Boating Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Jack Goes Boating arrives on Blu-ray with a nice-looking 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release is filmic and easy on the eyes; a light layer of grain is retained over the image, and aside from a few light speckles and an instance or two of extremely light banding, there's nothing technically wrong with the transfer. The image yields strong details, fair blacks, and steady colors that warm up a bit depending on light source but seem to stay true to natural location- and lighting-specific elements. Facial details are quite good in close-up shots and clothing textures -- particularly Jack's winter ski cap -- look fantastically intricate. The image isn't always razor-sharp, but it's never excessively soft, either; it finds an inviting and pleasing middle ground that replicates the theatrical experience quite nicely and therefore represents Blu-ray near the top of its potential for quality.

Jack Goes Boating Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Jack Goes Boating features a reserved but effective Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The film is centered around character interaction, so dialogue is the order of the day. It's accurate through the center channel, never muffled or lost under music or sound effects. The track engages in subtle atmospherics that do a good job of inserting listeners into various outdoor locales through the implementation of sirens, passing traffic, and other city din, not to mention the gentle sound of nearly still water in the public swimming pool. Such effects maneuver around the soundstage with ease and even fall into the back channels for a pleasant listen. Music enjoys fine spacing across the front and even plays with a punchy energy a few times. This is a fairly basic soundtrack that springs to life when necessary and allows for only dialogue to penetrate into the listening are when need be. It's well balanced and handles the admittedly reserved material with ease.

Jack Goes Boating Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Jack Goes Boating sinks rather than swims when it comes to its disappointingly limited assortment of bonus content.

• Jack's New York (1080p, 3:51): Cast and crew discuss New York and how it becomes a character in the film.
• From the Stage to the Big Screen (1080p, 4:35): Cast and crew offer a brief look at the process of transitioning the play to the screen.
• Deleted Scenes (480p, 1:52).
• Jack Goes Boating Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:22).

Jack Goes Boating Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Jack Goes Boating is a sweet and innocent little picture that's all about the very real lives of its characters. Nothing overblown, nothing that's not relatable, nothing to scare viewers away. It's a simple story of simple people striving to make their lives a little bit better while remaining true to who they are, looking for acceptance -- and willing to give it -- even through all the flaws that tend to creep up through this challenging but not hopeless thing called life. This Anchor Bay Blu-ray release features a nice film-like video presentation and a quality lossless soundtrack to match. The supplements are a bit slim, but the technical merits and quality of the film more than make up for that shortcoming. Recommended.