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A Journal for Jordan is a 2021 American romantic drama film directed and co-produced by Denzel Washington from a screenplay written by Virgil Williams, based on the memoir A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Love and Honor by Dana Canedy. The film stars Michael B. Jordan (who also co-produced the film) and Chanté Adams in the lead roles, along with Jalon Christian, Robert Wisdom, and Tamara Tunie in supporting roles.

The film was released by Sony Pictures Releasing, through the Columbia Pictures banner, on December 25, 2021. It received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office bomb.

Plot

Based on a true story, while 1st Sergeant Charles Monroe King is deployed in Iraq, he keeps a journal of love and advice for his infant son. Sharing this journal with her son, his fiancée, Dana Canedy reflects on her unlikely yet powerful romantic relationship with King.[4]

Cast

Production

In January 2018, it was reported that Denzel Washington would direct the film Journal for Jordan from a script by Virgil Williams based on Dana Canedy's memoir.[5] In February 2019, it was reported that Michael B. Jordan would play the lead role.[6] In October 2020, Chanté Adams was cast in the film.[7] As of December 2020, production had begun.[8][9] In February 2021, Robert Wisdom, Johnny M. Wu, and Jalon Christian joined the cast.[10] In March 2021, Tamara Tunie joined the cast.[11]

Release

A Journal for Jordan was originally scheduled by Sony Pictures Releasing for a limited theatrical release on December 10, 2021, before going wide on December 22.[12] In October 2021, the film was pushed to a wide theatrical release on December 25, on Christmas Day, without a limited release.[13] The film had its world premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square Theatre on December 9, 2021.[14] The film was released video-on-demand on January 11, 2022 and on Blu-ray and DVD on March 8, 2022.[15]

Reception

Box office

In the United States, A Journal for Jordan was released alongside American Underdog and the wide expansion of Licorice Pizza, and was projected to gross around $5 million from 2,500 theaters over its first two days of release.[2] It made $1.2 million on its first day and $1 million on its second, debuting to $2.2 million and finishing eighth at the box office.[16] In its second weekend, the film finished ninth with $1.2 million.[17] The film dropped out of the box office top ten in its third weekend, finishing twelfth with $600,880.[18]

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 39% based on 62 reviews, with an average rating of 5.2/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "A Journal for Jordan's affecting fact-based story stumbles onscreen due to Denzel Washington's undistinguished direction and overly sentimental approach."[19] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 42 out of 100 based on 20 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[20] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.[16]

The motion picture had three nominations at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture, Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture for Jalon Christian's performance.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Maryse Alberti" (PDF). Dattner Dispoto & Associates. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  2. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 21, 2021). "With 'Spider-Man' Hoarding Christmas Box Office, Is There Room For 'Matrix', 'Sing 2' & 'King's Man'?". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  3. ^ "A Journal for Jordan (2021)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  4. ^ "A Journal for Jordan", Sony Pictures Entertainment, retrieved August 19, 2021
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (January 29, 2018). "'Mudbound' Writer Virgil Williams to Adapt Denzel Washington's 'A Journal for Jordan'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  6. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 21, 2019). "Michael B. Jordan to Star in Denzel Washington's 'Journal for Jordan'". Variety. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 23, 2020). "Chante Adams Lands Lead Role Opposite Michael B. Jordan In Denzel Washington's 'Journal For Jordan'". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Gardner, Chris (February 1, 2021). "Michael B. Jordan on Being Directed by Denzel Washington, Adjusting to Pandemic: "I Grew up a Lot Last Year"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  9. ^ "Chanté Adams will star opposite Michael B Jordan in Denzel Washington-directorial 'Journal for Jordan'". The Economic Times. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  10. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 19, 2021). "'The Wire' Actor Robert Wisdom, Johnny M. Wu & Jalon Christian Join Michael B. Jordan In Denzel Washington-Directed 'Journal For Jordan'". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  11. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (March 5, 2021). "'Journal for Jordan': 'Law & Order's Tamara Tunie Joins Denzel Washington-Directed Drama". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  12. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 20, 2021). "Denzel Washington's 'A Journal For Jordan' Sets Year-End Theatrical Release". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  13. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 22, 2021). "'A Journal For Jordan' Heads To Christmas; Sony Also Dates Untitled Marvel Pics". Deadline. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  14. ^ "Photo: World Premiere of "A Journal for Jordan" in New York - NYP20211209192".
  15. ^ "A Journal for Jordan Blu-ray (Blu-ray + Digital HD)".
  16. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 26, 2021). "Spider-Man: No Way Home Third-Best Christmas Ever With $31.7M US; Domestic At $467M+ & $1.05B WW – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  17. ^ "Domestic 2021 Weekend 53". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  18. ^ "Domestic 2022 Weekend 1". Box Office Mojo. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  19. ^ "A Journal for Jordan". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  20. ^ "A Journal for Jordan Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  21. ^ Spivey, Kemberlie. "2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List". Forbes. Retrieved February 14, 2022.

External links