A Kid Like Jake
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySilas Howard
Screenplay byDaniel Pearle
Based onA Kid Like Jake
by Daniel Pearle
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySteven Calitri
Edited byMichael Taylor
Music byRoger Neill
Production
companies
  • Bankside Films
  • Burn Later Productions
  • Double Nickel Entertainment
  • Head Gear Films
  • That's Wonderful Productions
  • XS Media
Distributed byIFC Films
Release dates
  • January 23, 2018 (2018-01-23) (Sundance)
  • June 1, 2018 (2018-06-01) (United States)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

A Kid Like Jake is a 2018 American drama film directed by Silas Howard and written by Daniel Pearle, based on his own 2013 play of the same name. The film stars Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Priyanka Chopra, Amy Landecker, Ann Dowd, and Octavia Spencer.

It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2018. Distributed by IFC Films, A Kid Like Jake had a limited release on June 1, 2018. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the performances of its cast.

Plot

Alex and Greg Wheeler are parents to their four-year-old son Jake. The struggles of getting into a prestigious kindergarten are apparent for the couple as the Wheelers are not the richest family living in New York. Family friend and preschool principal, Judy, suggests they take advantage of Jake's recently developing interests in gender non-conformity in order to gain admission.[1]

Cast

  • Claire Danes as Alex Wheeler, a nervous newly pregnant mother, Greg's wife and Jake's mom.
  • Jim Parsons as Greg Wheeler, a licensed master social worker, Jake's father and Alex's husband
  • Priyanka Chopra as Amal, Alex and Greg's single mother friend
  • Leo James Davis as Jake Wheeler, Alex and Greg's preschool age son
  • Amy Landecker as Sandra, Greg's client who is facing marital issues
  • Ann Dowd as Catherine, Alex's mom
  • Octavia Spencer as Judith "Judy" Lawson, Jake's preschool principal
  • Aasif Mandvi as Darren, Amal's boyfriend
  • Rhys Bhatia as Sanjay, Amal's child
  • Annika Boras as Lynn

Production

On February 24, 2017, it was announced that Claire Danes and Jim Parsons had been cast in the drama film adaptation of A Kid Like Jake, a play by Daniel Pearle who would also adapt; while Silas Howard would direct. Parsons and Todd Spiewak would be producing the film through their banner That's Wonderful Productions along with Eric Norsoph,[2] Paul Bernon for Burn Later, and Rachel Song for XS Media.[3]

On May 12, 2017, Octavia Spencer was cast in the film, while Priyanka Chopra, Ann Dowd, and Michaela Watkins were in negotiations to be cast.[4][5] In July 2017, Amy Landecker joined the cast.[6]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2018.[7] Shortly after, IFC Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[8] It received a limited release on June 1, 2018.[9] Playing in 13 theaters, the film grossed $44,824.[10]

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 49% approval rating based on 49 reviews, and an average rating of 6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "A Kid Like Jake poses some truly interesting possibilities -- many of which are lost in its overly cautious approach to an admittedly sensitive subject."[11] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 60 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[12]

The Hollywood Reporter called the film a "lovely comedy-drama".[13] The Associated Press gave the film three out of four, writing "Both Danes and Parsons excel in these well-written roles, with a compelling supporting cast around them that includes Octavia Spencer, Priyanka Chopra, Ann Dowd and Amy Landecker. A Kid Like Jake might not be especially cinematic, but it is profound in its simplicity and truthfulness about what real fights sound like and what real lives look like."[14]

References

  1. ↑ Lemire, Christy (June 1, 2018). "A Kid Like Jake". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  2. ↑ Setoodeh, Ramin (February 24, 2017). "Claire Danes, Jim Parsons to Star in Transgender Family Drama 'A Kid Like Jake' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  3. ↑ McNary, Dave (July 12, 2017). "Amy Landecker Joins Jim Parsons-Claire Danes Drama 'A Kid Like Jake'". Variety. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  4. ↑ Lodderhose, Diana (May 12, 2017). "Octavia Spencer Joins Claire Danes & Jim Parsons For 'A Kid Like Jake' – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  5. ↑ Kroll, Justin (May 30, 2017). "Priyanka Chopra Joins Rebel Wilson's 'Isn't It Romantic,' 'A Kid Like Jake' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  6. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (July 12, 2017). "Amy Landecker Joins The Class For Indie Drama 'A Kid Like Jake'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  7. ↑ Debruge, Peter (November 29, 2017). "Sundance Film Festival Unveils Full 2018 Features Lineup". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  8. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (February 1, 2018). "IFC Films Acquires Sundance Pic 'A Kid Like Jake'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  9. ↑ "A Kid like Jake". IFC Films. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  10. ↑ "A Kid Like Jake". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  11. ↑ "A Kid Like Jake (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  12. ↑ "A Kid Like Jake Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  13. ↑ Felperin, Leslie (January 24, 2018). "'A Kid Like Jake': Film Review - Sundance 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  14. ↑ Bahr, Lindsey (May 30, 2018). "Review: A timely parenting drama in 'A Kid Like Jake'". Associated Press. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
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