Philip Seymour Hoffman gives yet another excellent performance and makes an equally impressive film directing debut. Hoffman reprises his role in his Labyrinth Theater Company’s production of Robert Glaudini’s play (Glaudini also wrote the screenplay here). Jack Goes Boating is a small film about relationships where the little things can change lives. The four leads shine in this quiet and moving film.

Jack (Hoffman) is hesitant and insecure with women. Despite being well into adulthood, he has yet to really grow up. His life consists of his job as a limousine chauffer and his friendship with fellow limo driver Clyde (John Ortiz). When Clyde’s wife Lucy (Daphne Rubin-Vega) introduces Jack to Connie (Amy Ryan), her co-worker at the funeral home, romance seems unlikely. Connie over shares negative experiences and seems almost as awkward as Jack. As they walk together in snowy New York, Connie says she would like to go boating. Jack is not discouraged by the fact that his next date with Connie may be months away, or by the fact that he cannot swim. The film focuses on three evolving relationships. As Clyde teaches Jack to swim, their friendship deepens and changes. As Jack and Connie take small steps in their romance, Clyde and Lucy’s marriage unravels.

Hoffman’s halting speech and ever present hat make Jack seem a likeable dork. When he hesitantly goes underwater in the pool, I both laughed at him and cheered for him. Despite Jack’s initial awkwardness in the scenes with Connie, Hoffman manages to make Jack endearing and likable. Ryan (the only one of the four leads who was not in the play) is captivating in an offbeat way. Ryan’s Connie seems suspicious and guarded, but when Ryan flashes her dazzling smile we see that Connie is vulnerable and afraid. John Ortiz’s Clyde is confident and self assured when he is with Jack, but shows insecurity and doubt when he is with his wife Lucy. Daphne Rubin-Vega is whirl wind of energy as the confident and capable Lucy, whose cell phone seems permanently attached to her ear.

During the course of the film, all the characters change in important ways, and these changes seem logical and believable. At the start of the film, Clyde and Lucy seem happier, more successful and better adjusted than the somewhat pathetic Jack and Connie. But as we get to know the characters better, we see the opposite may be true. When discussing her marital problems with Clyde, Lucy tells Jack that he cannot understand these problems, saying, “You have never been in a relationship; a lot happens. A lot of good things and a lot of things you wouldn’t wish on your enemy.” But as Jack and Connie watch Clyde and Lucy, they cling to each other in fear, both admitting what they are afraid could happen in a relationship.

What I liked best about the film was how involved I became with these characters, especially Jack. Jack has modest and attainable goals; he wants to learn to swim and cook, to get a better job and perhaps have a long term romance.  Yet watching Jack attempt to attain these goals was exciting and I was surprised how invested and moved I was by Jack’s attempts. Jack Goes Boating may not get noticed in the crush of bigger high budget films, and that would be a shame, as it is both enjoyable and satisfying. This film for thinking adults had me thinking about Jack and his friends long after the film had ended.

Jack Goes Boating. Directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman.  Philip Seymour Hoffman (Jack), John Ortiz (Clyde), Thomas McCarthy (Dr. Bob), Amy Ryan (Connie), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Lucy)  and Salvatore Inzerillo(Cannoli) Overture Films, 2010.

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

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