Overcoming Strong TV Personae

Over the past decade, there have not been more prolific characters on TV than Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory" and Carrie Mathison on "Homeland."   The portrayals by Jim Parsons and Claire Danes have been nothing but iconic as two super strong TV characters that you cannot forget.

So, when Parsons and Danes show up in a small independent film such as "A Kid Like Jake," you wonder how they will overcome their other acting personae.  It certainly prompted my curiosity enough for me to watch this movie on demand.   I think it lasted in theaters for about a week.

In answer to the question I was wondering about, I can tell you that, for the first 20 minutes or so of "A Kid Like Jake," I was having trouble separating Sheldon and Carrie from the characters of Greg and Alex, an upscale Brooklyn married couple.   Indeed, Parsons was a little more successful.   But, Danes, whose character here featured some of the over-the-top, off-the-meds traits of Carrie, had a much harder job pulling herself away from those "Homeland" histrionics.  

But, I stuck with it and was rewarded with an intimate and compelling look at young parents dealing with their four-year-old son who has been displaying characteristics of being "gender expansive."  Yes, there is a clinical term for everything these days and that one covers the issue around a child who may or may not be gay.  This drama unfolds as the parents begin the arduous task of selecting just the right private school for their son's needs.   I have friends who have lived through the Manhattan private school board game.   It's crazy and this process is well depicted in this movie.   With Alex' gender in question, the stakes are raised.

Jim Parsons is one of the producers of this film (with his life partner) and, after the bouncy first reel, never does invoke Sheldon Cooper in his portrayal here.   The parents argue over how best to deal with Alex and, as I mentioned earlier, Danes does make some acting choices that are closer to Carrie Mathison than not.   That said, there are about three scenes in this film that serve as acting clinics and you should not miss them.   There is an angry dinner party scene as well as a confrontation with a caring school administrator (Octavia Spencer) that is painful but amazing.   Finally, the closing argument between Parsons and Danes is so raw and organic that you can't possibly imagine them as any other characters in the world---the mark of some good actors.

So, yes, it's tough but you can overcome strong TV personae and live to act another day.   Even better when the material you are give is well done and that certainly is the case with "A Kid Like Jake."

LEN'S RATING:  Three-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  Spaghetti with pesto sauce.