A KID LIKE JAKE
US, 2018, 93 minutes, Colour.
Clare Danes, Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer, Pryanka Chopra, Ann Dowd, Amy Landecker, Leo James Davis.
Directed by Silas Howard.
A Kid Like Jake is based on a play by Daniel Pearle. And, at times, it is very much based on the play, some very strong dialogue sequences, especially between a husband and wife, played by Claire Danes and Jim Parsons, Buxton Greg, who are concerned about their four-year-old son, Jake, and the possibilities about his schooling. This from intense discussions, there is a great deal of anger and confrontation. The dialogue from the play is also very strong in sequences where Greg, a psychologist, is dealing with a client. And there are quite a number of conversations with educator, Judy, played by Octavia Spencer.
The basic thrust of the film concerns gender identification. Jake is four. His behaviour is much more like that of the stereotypical girl. He likes to dress up. He is highly imaginative in his storytelling. He identifies very strongly with princesses in fairy stories. Can the parents recognise this, can they acknowledge it, what is it mean for Jake’s education, his interactions with children his own age?
The film has a strong supporting cast with Ann Dowd as Alex’s mother, with Amy Landdecker as the client.
This is a dramatic contribution to the many documentaries concerning gender and transgender.
1. The title? The focus on a young boy? Family upbringing? Kindergarten? Discipline issues? Personality? Gender? The impact on parents? Teachers?
2. The American city, comfortable homes, schools and kindergartens, psychology practice, law firms? Restaurants? Parks? Education interviews? The musical score?
3. The film’s focus on the parents rather than on the child, Jake not being a strong presence in the film visually, seen at play, tantrums, dressing up, with the other children, the party? But seen through the perspective of the parents and their discovering his nature?
4. Alex and Greg, their marriage, love for each other, scenes at home, intimacy, Alex as the strong character, giving up her law work, her interactions with her demanding mother, a range of friends? Greg, seen it work, the discussions with his client, the noise from the adjoining office? Not as imposing a character as Alex?
5. Judy, friend, her work with children, sharing with Alex? Taking care of Jake? Her observing of his character, his talents, the feminine side? Advice to the parents, their interest in school applications, her help? The confrontation where she tried to tell them the truth, Alex and her anger, taunting her about not having children, Greg and his silence? The later reconciliation and conversations? At Judy’s house, her partner?
6. Greg, at work, listening, Sandra, her being a client, taciturn, waiting, bursting out, wanting something from Greg, his saying she was a planner? The revelation about IVF, the attempts, the effect on her, on her husband, giving up the attempts, at the restaurant, his saying that they were done, her relief? The divorce documents? Greg listening to her in the light of his own experiences of marriage?
7. The meeting with Judy, Alex and her increasing anger, outburst, attacking Judy, leaving, the hospital and miscarriage? Her anger, returning home, treatment of Greg, his reactions, the power of the dialogue, eventual reconciliation?
8. Jake, four, place in the home, the feminine tendencies, dressing up, imagination, the Princess stories, identifying with them? His birthday party and the criticisms? His finally walking up the street and the dress, with his parents?
9. The range of teachers, the kindergarten? Alex and Greg and their friends, the dinner, the discussions? The other teachers and their help?
10. The importance of education, schools, possibilities, development, preparing essays, interviews?
11. The impact for the average audience on issues of gender, physical and psychological, transgender issues, especially any young boy? The impact for the parents and coping? Affirming him? His future?
