Watch Blue Jay

Blue Jay is a 2016 movie directed by Alexandre Lehmann and is a story of two former high school sweethearts who meet up again after almost 20 years. The movie stars Mark Duplass as Jim and Sarah Paulson as Amanda, the two leads. Clu Gulager also appears in the movie as an antique store owner. Jim and Amanda were high school sweethearts who had parted ways 20 years ago. Jim stayed back in their hometown, whereas Amanda moved to the city, got married, and became a nurse. One day, Jim and Amanda accidentally bump into each other at the grocery store, where they start chatting and eventually decide to catch up over coffee. As they revisit their past and talk about their present, the feelings they had for each other begin to resurface.

The movie is reminiscent of the 'Before' trilogy, directed by Richard Linklater, in the sense that most of the film takes place in real-time, and the leads are the only characters in the movie. The movie is shot in black and white, which adds a cinematic feel to the story. The black and white imagery is also symbolic of Jim and Amanda's past, which has a kind of nostalgia associated with it.

Blue Jay is a somber and reflective movie that meanders through their conversations and memories. Mark Duplass plays Jim, a soft-spoken and subtle character who carries his emotions on his sleeve. He grapples with unfulfilled dreams and regrets, and Mark Duplass portrays him with understated intensity. On the other hand, Sarah Paulson plays Amanda, a more pragmatic character, who is on the verge of a midlife crisis. As Jim tries to break the ice and express his emotions, Amanda tries to come to terms with her own feelings and how they relate to Jim.

The lead performances by Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson are outstanding, and they bring a sense of authenticity to their characters. The fact that they had improvised some of their lines lends a naturalness to their performances, which makes their interactions all the more organic. Both the actors have a good sense of timing, and their conversations are punctuated with awkward pauses, playful banter, and poignant silences.

Clu Gulager appears in the movie as an antique store owner who Jim and Amanda visit. His character brings some levity to the film and serves as a way to break the tension that arises from their conversations.

The movie's direction and cinematography are also noteworthy. Alexandre Lehmann's direction is restrained and subtle, which allows for the character's emotions to shine through. The long takes and static shots complement the conversational nature of the film. The black and white cinematography adds a certain texture to the visuals and emphasizes the melancholic mood of the characters.

Blue Jay is a movie that resonates with anyone who's been in love or has had a significant other. The film explores how time changes people, and how love can be complicated and messy. It's a movie that doesn't offer any easy answers, but it's poignant and reflective of how relationships can be simultaneously heartbreaking and beautiful.

In conclusion, Blue Jay is a beautifully crafted movie that relies purely on its characters and performances to tell a moving love story. The movie is honest, introspective, and poignant, and it marks Alexandre Lehmann's remarkable directorial debut.

Blue Jay is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 69.