Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Introducing Jodea’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Introducing Jodea’.
​
The moment we discover what we truly want to do in life, what calls to us if you will… our friends and family make it clear to us that if we want it, we are going to have to work hard to get it. To the point where sacrifices will have to be made and distractions will have to be ignored because this is what we were meant to do, and we must stop at nothing to get our hands upon it and there is a lot of merit to this particular line of thinking. After all, we hear story after story about how someone created a mega empire or made it in Hollywood because they kept their head down and focused on becoming the best at what they do and while that does inspire us to work harder for what we want, there is one big problem in regard to this bravado-based mantra.
​
In that, we don’t talk about all the roadblocks that we will run into when we do indeed go chase after our dream. Because sadly, we’re not the only one this particular profession calls to, nor are we the only one who is talented at it. Which means that when we truly dig in and go for it, we will be passed over for someone that others believe to be the right person for the job, and we will experience failure and hear the word ‘no’ an unhealthy number of times before we hear that yes. And that long trek forward will break some and send them packing and leave a great deal of others wondering why they are fighting for this future in the first place and well, it is understandable as to why so many ignore or overlook that darker side to chasing the dream, in storytelling for that matter as well. Because we want the pursuit to feel magical and inspiring over anything else and that’s why you have to respect people and stories that don’t hold back in explaining or exploring what this quest actually looks like.

Because those are the folks and the movies and shows and books that will use their journey to separate the dreamers from the folks who are ready to go the distance, and really this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because there is a brand-new movie out, that works hard to make it to clear to all, that chasing our dreams is no walk in the park and that makes Introducing Jodea a hearty and meaningful watch. One that hammers home this harsh reality by plunging us into the search for what is perhaps one of the hardest dreams of all to achieve… making it in Hollywood. For Jodea Maxwell wants to be a star in the movie biz and well, her search for stardom isn’t going well. In fact, her only real claim to fame at this point… is being fired from a Zac Kawalsky film. But when Zac accidentally runs into the back of her car on his way to an urgent meeting to save that exact same film, Jodea is going to use this opportunity to try and seize the moment and get her shot at stardom and well… that decision is going to change her life in ways she never thought possible.

---

Now, at first glance, that is a plot that really doesn’t seem all that grounded in the struggle. In fact, it resembles something straight out of a romantic comedy and that would be a correct assumption/assocation. For there is an underlying love story to be found here between Zac and Jodea as the film rolls along and for that matter, this is also a movie that is a grand love letter to Hollywood as well. Since it also focuses heavily on our fascination with stardom and the wonder and the thrill of filmmaking in general. Plus, the great debate as to which era of filmmaking is even pondered upon here, something that fans everywhere discuss in this day and age and well… all of those elements do indeed leave one wondering, exactly where is the message in this movie? And as it turns out, the devil is in the details that take place right before our eyes… which makes the message in question quite organic in nature. 
​
Because we are watching all the tough parts of chasing one’s dreams play out in real time with Jodea. For not only is she at her lowest when we meet her here, since she’s living in a trailer in the driveway of a good friend, but her car is busted down… she’s feeling lost and trapped and even when her big break arrives… she’s got to work for it. Which is where the blood and sweat and tears come into play since she fails before she gets in front of the camera and even on set and even after finding some measure of success… she faces new challenges by way of others that are eager to manipulate her career and relationship with Zac. But despite getting knocked down time and time again, the support she finds from her friends and Zac and the dedication to her craft eventually brings her to where she wants to be and that really does make for a supremely realistic and fulfilling story… one that manages to inspire the audience for certain.

For it makes it crystal clear to the viewer, that if you want the dream, you are going to have to want it more than anything else in life and you’ll need to be prepared to take a beating on your way to get there. But the reward will be worth the effort and while that doesn’t sound inspiring at first, it is to those that want something more. Because this is the kind of story that ignites that internal fire, the one that motivates a person to clench that jaw and mutter ‘bring it on’ and that really does make this a special film. Because it offers more than inspiration. Since the other elements we discussed a moment ago, appeal to cinephiles and general audiences and as an added bonus, there’s some solid performances to be found here. Since Chloe Traicos is electric as Jodea and Jeff Coppage does a wonderful of playing a tortured Zac and Ryan Pratton deserves a shout out as well, for stealing scenes as the hilarious and awkward Harold and well, in the end, if you’re looking to enjoy an uplifting film that can inspire you whilst putting a smile on your face… then take a moment and give Introducing Jodea a look.  

---

Powered by JustWatch