MovieChat Forums > Jackie & Ryan (2015) Discussion > Amazing film. Don't let the low IMDb rat...

Amazing film. Don't let the low IMDb ratings fool you.

posted 9 years ago by catherineursula
16 replies | jump to latest

Such a brilliant film. So real. So believable. So authentic. Writer/director, Ami Canaan Mann clearly did her homework in preparation for and production of this film.

Beautiful acting by Ben Barnes and Katherine Heigl too. Emily Alyn Lind was wonderful as Jackie's daughter. I loved the the story, the music, the setting and the general feeling of awe while watching the film. So unfortunate the ratings are so low. Easily a 9 out of 10 for me.

[–] pugsley_lover27 9 years ago

I totally agree.

[–] ggarcao 9 years ago

It was a pleasure to fall in love again with Katherine Heigl, an amazing actress, and in this film she shows that she doesn't need to be in a rom-com to prove her abilities.

This film is almost like a remake of "Bound for Glory" (Woody Guthrie's story), with a great soundtrack inspired by the music and the sensibilities of new artists, like Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, together with a script that lets the landscape and the relationships between the main characters breathe, making this movie believable and also meaningful.

And I hope that the end scene where they meet on the porch wasn't some wish fulfillment or day dreaming by Ryan, and that he became grounded with the music he was producing, and also grounded by the people he met, and that he ended his rambling days and settled with Jackie and his family.

"The Sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel".

[–] chantells 9 years ago

My guess is your supposed to draw your own conclusions. I liked to think they ended up together. I haven't seen it yet, but have read about about it.I don't mind spoiler. I choose to think they ended up together. BTW: Does the story say how Ryan ended up a wanderer? I would like to think he made amends with his family when he left Jackie for awhile. Was Jackie happy to see him? Did they ever tell each other they love each other? It makes me think of a story that would make an AMAZING novel. Maybe we should find a way to let Ami Cannon Mann know we want a sequel?

[–] ggarcao 9 years ago

If you see the film, I think you'll understand the relationship between Ryan and his family (it was not very good, sort of a trailer trash type of life).

Regarding their relationship, I think it was only in the beginning, and it would grow, I imagine, because they were "twin souls", or at least understood each other, and gave strength to each other, and that are good basis for a relationship, I think.

"The Sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel".

[–] pugsley_lover27 9 years ago

From what Ryan said in the film, and what Virginia said, his life wasn't the greatest growing up. Lovely story. Great music. Jackie's mom reminded me of my own mom when I first brought my husband home to meet her. That made me laugh.

[–] chantells 9 years ago

Thanks for the info! 😃

[–] chantells 9 years ago

Thanks for the info! 😃

[–] Strawberrry35 9 years ago

Heigl's character says something to her daughter about Barns character, that made me believe that they were merely a stepping stone in the right direction for one another, but I think if you listen to the lyrics of his song in the end, which I really liked btw, you get your answer.

I thought this was a great movie, definitely worth a watch or three.

[–] chantells 9 years ago

I wonder what made him decide to go back? Glad he does though! 😍

[–] ggarcao 9 years ago

If you're so curious about this movie, and its story and characters, and you haven't seen it yet, I have high hopes for it, in VOD, because it's better, believe me, to extrapolate when you've actually seen it!😊

But replying to your supposition, I imagine he was tired of living on the edge, dangerously (you'll understand the danger I'm talking about when you see the movie), and like everyone else, he longed for human contact, interaction, empathy (and remember, he was a sensible soul, a poet, who had a rough life, not just an "ordinary" hobo).

"The Sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel".

[–] zendatrim 7 years ago

I loved the film it was a journey for two people who needed one another for different reasons. Jackie showed Ryan he had talent and needed to finish his song, and Ryan showed Jackie she was strong enough to deal with her ex and she musnt let him get away with his bullying regardless of his wealth, so she took action, they both did, and went off to sort themselves out.

The music was amazing, i want the sound track. The acting superb I actually loved the child which is unusual for me lol....

I think when he was recording the songs in the studio he realised all he had and didnt have and I think the loss of his best friend who left his family hopefully made him realise he needed more in his life.

What a gem, i nearly didnt watch it, found it on Netflix. Not for everyone though he wants a silly romcom or drama, as this is about a journey of two minds, people have to think about it lol, and this film really makes you think about what is important in your life.

[–] trisul 9 years ago

It deserves more, a nice movie, solid acting and nice music. But, the lack of car chases, gratuitous violence or arbitrary nakedness means a lower IMDb rating.

[–] Live_Dream 9 years ago

Agree, this film is so underrated. Beautifully made, beautifully acted, just beautiful.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] davidwile 8 years ago

Hey folks,

If you listen to the lyrics of his song as he sang it in the recording studio, you will realize he is a changed man. His lyrics now include a verse where he is hopping a southbound train on an 800 mile trip. That 800 mile trip would be his trip from the Portland recording studio back to his new life in Ogden, Utah. Jackie is also a changed person after cutting her past to New York and her husband.

I would also bet a nickel that Jackie's mother turns out to realize how much of a gentleman as well as a productive member of a family he will be, and she will eventually welcome him as a worthy son-in-law.

Being the romantic fool I am, I gave it 8 out of 10 stars. The story and the acting was great to me.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[–] WildAngel618 8 years ago

I loved this movie and I totally believe they ended up together. I think the porch scene at the end was real. While he was in the studio singing the song he wrote (for her) he realized that she was his home, just like he sang in the song. I think he went back and they made a life together.

I liked the music in the film, too, and Ben Barnes has a really good voice. I totally forgot that he was English while I was watching this movie. He had a slight Southern accent and he did it so well.

I also enjoyed watching Katherine Heigl for the first time ever in any movie. I liked her humble demeanor and down-to-earth personality in this movie. Much better than the fluffy rom-com crap she's made in the past.

I gave the movie 7 stars.