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A Journal For Jordan Blu-ray Review

“A Journal For Jordan” doesn’t translate to the big screen.

Based on a true story and the book by Dana Canedy, “A Journal For Jordan” is a 2021 film adaptation about the romance between a First Sergeant (Charles Monroe King) and New York Times journalist (Dana Canedy). Their blossoming romance becomes interrupted when Charles is deployed to Iraq. The story jumps around in time and also focuses on Charles and Dana’s son Jordan.

Directed by Denzel Washington, “A Journal For Jordan” suffers from not being a very cinematic story. This is the type of moving true story that really belongs on the page (especially with it being based on a biographical  book). Even with the talent behind the camera and in front of it, there’s something lost in translation here as the tale about love, duty, and family often feels like a TV movie with corny dialogue, steamy romance, and a tear jerking element. It’s a heartfelt and positive story in the end, but it deserved more than this safe, overlong melodrama.

Another frustrating element about the script by Virgil Williams is that it fails to expand upon story elements like the bond between Charles and Dana’s father, the daughter Charles has from another marriage, the Monet, the titular journal (which doesn’t come into play until far too late), and so forth. There’s a lot that is set up here that gets short changed.

Cast members Michael B. Jordan and Chante Adams do most of the heavy lifting here as this movie lives and dies on their chemistry. Luckily, they are convincing as a couple and are indeed the best part of the entire feature.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. Grade: A-

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. Grade: A-

Extras:
* Digital copy
* Sony trailers
* 6 ½ minutes of deleted scenes
* A 3 minute gag reel.
* “Heart And Soul: Charles And Dana”- A featurette about the couple (and the real life people). Cast and crew interviews are included (including one with the real Dana Canedy).
* “Family Portrait: Making The Film”- A making of featurette featuring interviews, discussions about the real story and the book, film clips and more.
* “Words Of Wisdom: The Journal”- Discussions about the journal along with excerpt readings and other factoids about Charles.

March 5, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | A Journal For Jordan Blu-ray Review, A Journal For Jordan Movie, Denzel Washington