THE PLOT THUS FAR
After her husband suffers a debilitating stroke, spirited Irish housewife Vanetia Casey (Maxine Peake, Silk) struggles to keep her family together in the wake of tragedy. Help comes in the form of American doctor Ted Fielding (Saturday Night Live’s Will Forte), whose research grant for documenting the family’s recovery process takes care of finances but also requires that the straight-laced doctor live with the chaotic Casey family for two months. Although Vanetia initially resents living under Ted’s microscope, she soon finds comfort in his calming presence, while Ted grows surprisingly accustomed to Vanetia’s dynamic, unpredictable personality. As the two explore their bond within their unique situation, they discover that a new family is beginning to take shape around them. Uplifting and authentic, Academy Award®-nominated* director Steph Green s RUN & JUMP is an unexpected, unconventional romance about human connection and the power of acceptance.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“Run & Jump” is a film about an American doctor coming to Ireland to study the affects that a bizarre stroke is having on a family. Maxine Peake plays a housewife that’s trying to deal with the fact that her husband has basically become a third child. Desperate for adult companionship, these two bond. Will it become a “Once” sort of thing? Will it get a little “Breaking the Waves”? Only time will tell.
Will Forte has been killing it since he left Saturday Night Live. He’s doing comedy, he’s doing Award winning movies and he’s making the case for an Oscar nomination in his very near future. What makes it so much better is that he’s choosing the right kinds of movies. It’s too easy to be willing to star in the next piece of shit franchise movie. I applaud actors with the ability to branch out like this. The film’s pretty standard, so you can draw your own conclusions about the ending.
The DVD comes with featurettes and a trailer as the special features. The A/V Quality is pretty strong for an indie romantic drama. Still, the transfer plays really flat. The Dolby 5.1 kicks in the back channels where I didn’t think it would happen. Ultimately, it’s worth picking up and giving a shot.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!