Jump, Darling (2020)

Directed by: Phil Connell | 90 minutes | drama | Actors: Thomas Duplessie, Cloris Leachman, Linda Kash, Andrew Bushell, Sheldon McIntosh, Mark Caven, Dylan Roberts, Kevin Allan, Katie Messina, Kwaku Adu-Poku, John Stocker, Jayne Eastwood, Gordon Hecht, Katie Corbridge, Rose Napoli, Andrew Kinnaird, Sarah Camacho, Daniel Jun, Penelope Goranson, Heather E Lightfoot, Paulo Fortes, JP Kane

Every generation has its problems, but in ‘Jump, Darling’ we see that those problems can have a striking number of similarities. In his twenties, Russell (Thomas Duplessie) tries to get a job as an actor and finds himself supported by his friend Justin (Andrew Bushell), but in fact Russell has long been happy if he can act as a drag queen in local bars. When Justin accuses him of having no ambition, this ends in the breakdown of the relationship. Because he is financially quite dependent on Justin, Russell has no choice but to visit his grandmother. She has promised him her car and the destitute artist can use that well.

Grandma Margaret struggles with problems of a different nature. She is no longer physically fit and with those physical discomforts, the risk of being seriously injured increases. She lives alone in a big house. When Russell unexpectedly visits, she is initially overwhelmed – they haven’t seen each other in a while, but they are happy with his presence. When Russell tells her that he’s only staying one night and really only came to pick up the promised car, the disappointment can be read on her face. However, it does not take her much effort to persuade Russell to stay a little longer. Then Russell’s mother, Margaret’s daughter Ene, intervenes in the situation. She has wanted Margaret to move to a care home for some time, but as well-intentioned as that is, Margaret wants nothing to do with it. Russell and Margaret soon form a united front against One.

With his feature debut ‘Jump, Darling’, director Phil Connell shows what it’s like to fight against the expectations of others. Regardless of your age, there will always be people around you who think that you should organize your life differently, that you make wrong choices in their eyes. Choosing your own path is brave, but also difficult. Without realizing it, Russell and Margaret are in the same boat and unconsciously they help each other in this. It is a beautiful and subtle analogy, which is further shaped by Margaret’s ambitions as a young woman. The puzzle pieces from the mysterious past of Russell’s grandfather, Margaret’s prematurely deceased husband, also contribute to the idea that history will always repeat itself.

You can question the speed with which Russell changes course, that feels a bit unbelievable, but that is only a small blemish on the scenario. Russell’s suicide wish is also less apparent, which is there, but also seems to have disappeared just as quickly.

In contrast, the soundtrack to ‘Jump, Darling’ is great and Russell’s performances as his alter-ego Fishy Falters are brimming with energy. He’s the absolute star of the playback show and it’s hard to take your eyes off him when he’s absorbed in his moves. While the subject isn’t exactly light-hearted, there’s still room for some humor, which comes mainly from Margaret’s well-timed comments. The chemistry between grandson and grandmother is palpable; it is easy to imagine that Margaret has watched Russell grow up and has grown with his development. Both Cloris Leachman and Thomas Duplessie are sublime; with a perfect mix of vulnerability and stubbornness, they shape their characters and draw you into their emotional world. ‘Jump, Darling’ is a warm and nuanced drama, with which Phil Connell shows that family can also mean friendship.