JACK GOES BOATING

US, 2010, 89 minutes, Colour.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Ortiz, Thomas Mc Carthy, Amy Ryan.
Directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Jack Goes Boating is based on a play by Bob Glaudini. Philip Seymour Hoffman reprises the role of Jack which he took on the stage. John Ortiz as Clyde and Daphne Rubin-Vega? as Lucy also reprise their stage roles. The fourth central character is played by Amy Ryan (The Office, Gone Baby Gone).

The film shows its theatre origins, a lot of emphasis on conversation – although some of the scenes have been opened up, taking advantage of New York City locations.

However, the film is really a character study. Clyde and Lucy are married, they have a relationship – but, as the film goes on, and they try to interfere with the relationship between Jack and Connie, the difficulties in their own relationship emerge and it almost breaks.

Jack is awkward, Connie is shy. Jack and Clyde are limo drivers and hence their friendship. Connie works in an office and Clyde and Lucy think that she would be very good for Jack on a blind date.

With the focus on Jack and Connie, their awkwardness together, their gradually getting to like each other, Connie and her desire to go boating and Jack wanting to fulfil that promise, the film is often gentle and insightful as well as showing the harsher and rougher sides of life and relationships – especially in the context of life in New York City. The film has been directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman himself.


1. The film based on a play, strong in characterisation, verbal interchanges, situations? The adaptation, opening out the action, the city streets, the boating?

2. Philip Seymour Hoffman and his work, directing? Acting?

3. The opening, the limousines, the streets, the clients, the shops, cups of coffee, swimming and boating? The interiors: work, home? The musical score?

4. The title and expectations, as fulfilled at the end? Jack, his transformation, going boating as a symbol of his change? His relationship with Connie?

5. Jack and his age, size, quiet, awkward, at his job, the range of clients, discussions, English language and testing? Taking people to the shops? His friendship with Clyde? Working for Uncle Frank? The quality of his life, living alone, Clyde as his friend? Talking, opening up? His relationship with Lucy? Her friendship? Wanting to set him up? His prospects?

6. Lucy and Clyde, their life, love, working together, the revelations about relationships, Lucy and the past, the fight? Clyde and his antagonism? The relationship with the cook, Clyde getting him to help Jack? Clyde inviting the cook to the meal? The emotional explosion?

7. Lucy, her character, at work, with Doctor Bob, promotions, the clients, the phone calls? Welcoming Connie, not thinking she was suitable, the prospect of the sack? Connie proving herself, Lucy setting her up with Jack, the visits? Discussions?

8. Connie, her life, quiet, meeting Jack, the talk, her wanting to go boating? Her taking time in the bathroom? Her becoming more comfortable with Jack, the outings, the kiss? The issue of his cooking? Her being bashed on the subway, in hospital, Jack and his visits and care? The gift of the koala?

9. Jack, the prospect of his interview? Learning to swim, to be able to go boating, Clyde and his instructing Jack about breathing? Underwater, the bubbles? Jack and the dreams, his visualising being underwater? His success and exhilaration?

10. The cook, as a good chef, at the hotels, Jack observing? His coming to the house, teaching Jack how to slice and cut, cook? His being invited to the dinner – and the crisis?

11. The dinner, Clyde and his wanting to go out, the phone call? Connie’s reaction? Lucy and the dinner? The hookah? Jack forgetting the meal cooking, the fire?

12. Jack and his anger, his being upset, needing time, being by himself, Connie and her urging him out? The group singing By the Rivers of Babylon? His coming out?

13. His taking Connie boating, the joy, the relationship? Their future?