Hey Logan,
I rented Manhood a couple of weeks ago, on your recommendation, and I watched it twice.
The first time through, I thought to myself, this writer really understands men - the male pysche in several permutations - Jack, the boys, the bro-in-law.
The second time through I really appreciated the actor's work. They were so subtle and natural it just made this story so personal and affecting.
The direction was also so unobtrusive it just drew me in deeper second by second. Very impressive.
I agree about the therapist's behavior. That seemed the one false note in this story. So cliche, even though it was important that Jack be seeing a therapist. And it was also a key point that he had a conflict with her.
I think that was the point where he realized that he was only still seeing her from habit, not from any real need. Not to say there wasn't a need at one time; there was a real need, a need to heal and recover, but Jack had grown incredibly by that point and didn't realize it until he walked out of that office.
It's a powerful moment, a real triumph, but the details of the conflict still seem off-key, out of tune with the sublety of this story. I just wish it would have been handled differently.
As I think of this story I am reminded of what Derek Luke said in an interview about playing Antwoine Fisher;
"I was in tears and the thing about the tears was that there was healing going on. That's why I wanted to do this script, ...... because it was a story of victory; it was a story of healing. And a lot of people need healing."
So what was Jack healing from? That's the question. I don't think it was the mistakes he made or the choices he knew he had to make, especially the key one regarding his son, which as he said, "was no choice at all".
Jack's a good guy. He's you and me, and many more, probably most of humanity. Quiet, silent, heroes, living as best we can, doing what we have to do, and wondering, what do I want, what do I need, and what must I do? Why can't they be the same? And how did I get here? And why, and why, and why...?
It's sad that it takes the unfortunate event you mentioned for Jack to finally get some answers. That was shocking, but as you said, it had great power.
The shock and trauma are what finally burn away Jack's doubts and make him know the man he really is. Without that event, Jack may never have been able to say those words to his nephew, and I have no doubt he was saying them to himself as well, and finally knowing what matters.
I don't think I'm reading too much into this movie. It is subtle but deep. I love the fact that Jack is healing from growing up, from mourning the past and lost youth, by finally knowing he has grown up and he is here now and always will be; only here now.
Thanks, Logan, for showing me this movie. It really is an inspiration.
Donald
