VIFF 2020 | Noémie Merlant Is Excellent In "Jumbo", But The Movie Leaves Something To Be Desired
8/12 ForReel Score | 3/5 Stars
As an avid roller coaster enthusiast, I can name a few strong attractions I have and have had to amusement park attractions. There’s a certain allure - perhaps even a provocative essence - in the look and feel of rides and roller coasters. I love amusement park attractions. I have not, however, fallen in love with a ride, and that’s what drew me to Jumbo from writer and director Zoé Wittock. While the devotion to conveying the main character’s devotion to Jumbo is compelling, the premise doesn’t explore the consequences of such a taboo affair as thoroughly as I had hoped.
In Jumbo, Jeanne (Noémie Merlant, Portrait of a Lady on Fire) is an employee at a local amusement park. But when a new ride is brought into the park, the Move It spinning flat ride, Jeanne instantly falls madly in love with it, spending nights laying on the metal machine and talking with it. Her romantic involvement with this ride, however, is met with frustration and hostility by her mom and her manager, who also happens to be intimately interested in Jeanne. She now has to overcome criticism and ridicule to maintain this rare and passionate love she has for Jumbo.
Noémie Merlant as Jeanne Tantios in Jumbo.
The story has assured direction, narrowly focusing on the difficulties in defending this unique kind of love. But because of the hyperfocus on Jeanne’s side of the story, Jumbo lacks the layers to add comprehensive context to the story. For Jeanne, her relationship with Jumbo begins with love-at-first-sight, missing the opportunity to curate a journey the audience can relate with. Which also means that Jumbo’s part in the relationship is disappointingly minimal.
But a strong performance from Noémie keeps the emotional value that is captured in Jumbo compelling. And the film is beautifully shot; night scenes with the radiantly lit ride are stunning and beautiful, all complimented by a score that is just right for this story.
Even though Jumbo isn’t quite as poignet as similarly themed films like Her, it’s an interesting ride none-the-less. The narrative builds up to a finale that any good love story deserves and leaves much to be discussed after the credits roll. Sometimes the allure - provocative essence perhaps - is enough to make the ride worthwhile.
Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 0 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer's Preference - 1 | What does this mean?
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