LIMA — Denzel Washington, a national treasure and one of our finest actors, sat in the director’s chair — for the fourth time — to craft “A Journal for Jordan.”
The filmmaker hasn’t directed a feature since 2016, when he was in front of and behind the cameras for the acclaimed “Fences.”
This time, Washington oversees a picture named after Dana Canedy’s best-selling book based on the titular diary 1st Sgt. Charles King left for his son. The Army veteran lost his life in 2006 when a bomb detonated during a mission in Iraq.
King’s fiancée wrote for The New York Times before penning the world-renowned memoir.
Although the movie’s producers, including screenwriter Virgil Williams, were dedicated to the source material, it would’ve behooved Washington to unload a few items from the overstuffed haul. He was, in the parlance of the day, too “at ease” with this production – as if too passionate about the cinematic valentine to stop the tear-jerking.
For the majority of its 130 minutes, “A Journal for Jordan” is less about the diary and more about Canedy’s life:
We initially see the heroine (Chante Adams) depicted as a hard-working, lonely reporter – until she meets Charles, a father enduring a divorce (“I felt like a failure.”) The couple hits it off, thanks to having chemistry in spades.
The narrative has many earmarks and themes found in a standard romantic-comedy: The woman’s best friends, jealousy, work getting in the way of romance, you name it.
And that’s the gist of “A Journal for Jordan,” a predictable but enjoyable venture that spotlights what develops into a long-distance relationship: In the aftermath of 9/11, Charles gets deployed to the Middle East, leaving behind a pregnant Dana.
The entire look of the production is adequate; Washington and his crew prove technically proficient but lack creativity and flourishes. Nothing on screen distinguishes the director’s work from any other’s. The pokey pace of what transpires seems like a stalling tactic throughout the waning minutes.
Jordan, whose name is synonymous with the “Creed” series, and Adams come across here as credible lovebirds; young Jalon Christian embodies their son with confidence and charisma, which gives the movie a shot in the arm.
Without question, “A Journal for Jordan” is earnest, well-intentioned and – like an obedient soldier – dedicated to the cause. If only Washington had lightened the load instead of flirting with epic lengths redolent of Steven Spielberg projects, a four-star salute would be in order.
Michael B. Jordan and Chante Adams co-star in director Denzel Washington’s depiction of the true story “A Journal for Jordan.”
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