Family,Drama
United States of America
A Kid Like Jake is a 2018 drama film directed by Silas Howard and written by Daniel Pearle. The film is based on Pearle's play of the same name, and stars Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer, and Priyanka Chopra. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2018.
The film follows the Wheelers, a couple living in New York City with their four-year-old son Jake. Jake is a sensitive and creative child who loves to dress up in princess dresses and play with dolls. Though they are initially hesitant, Alex and Greg are encouraged by their preschool director Judy to highlight Jake's gender-expansive behavior in their applications to competitive private kindergartens. As they navigate the admissions process, Alex and Greg are forced to confront their own beliefs about gender and parenting, and the strain on their marriage grows.
Alex, a therapist who has put her career on hold to focus on raising Jake, finds herself struggling to reconcile her progressive values with her desire for Jake to fit in and succeed. Greg, a lawyer who is often absent at work, takes a more easygoing approach to parenting and is resistant to the idea of exploiting Jake's gender identity for their own benefit. Meanwhile, Judy becomes increasingly involved in their family's lives, offering advice and support as Alex and Greg struggle to make the best decisions for their son.
As the deadline for applications draws near, tensions mount between Alex and Greg, and they confront some uncomfortable truths about their own relationships to gender and identity. When they finally receive Jake's test results, they are faced with a difficult decision that may have lasting consequences for their family.
A Kid Like Jake is a moving exploration of the complexities of modern parenting and the shifting landscape of gender and identity in America. With powerful performances from its talented cast and a nuanced, empathetic script from Pearle and Howard, it is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring these themes.
