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Jonathan Movie Review

Name: Jonathan Movie Review
Item: Jonathan
Rating: 2.5
Author: Giridharan M

Jonathan Movie Review English Movie Review

Written by

Review for the film " Jonathan"

Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video

Runtime: 01 Hour 39 Minutes

Certificate: UA

Released: 16-11-2018

Genre: Sci Fi, Drama

Similar To: Write When You Get Work, White Boy Rick, Lying And Stealing, Somewhere Beautiful

Critic Review
User Review

2.5 / 5.0

3.44 / 5.0

CAST & CREW

Ansel Elgort

Matt Bomer

Peter Nickowitz

Patricia Clarkson

Suki Waterhouse

Brooke Blair

Ricky Tollman

MORE CAST & CREW

Producer:

Ricky Tollman

Music Director:

Brooke Blair

Director:

Bill Oliver

Supporting Actress:

Suki Waterhouse

Patricia Clarkson

Screenplay:

Peter Nickowitz

Supporting Actor:

Ansel Elgort

Matt Bomer

Click Here For Full Cast & Crew

Jonathan is a mysterious thriller with an element of sci-fi. The movie was directed by debutant Bill Oliver and starred Ansel Elgort Ansel Elgort was born to Arthur Elgort and Grethe >> Read More... in the titular role, with Suki Waterhouse Alice Suki Waterhouse, brought into the world 5 Ja >> Read More... and Patricia Clarkson in prominent roles. The movie was written by Bill Oliver, Gregory Davis, and Peter Nickowitz Peter Barr Nickowitz is an American born artist, d >> Read More... . The music of the movie was composed by Brooke Blair Brooke Blair is an English Film Score composer, bo >> Read More... and Will Blair. The movie is produced by Manis Films.

Plot

Jonathan works at an architectural firm and is considered a prodigy at his workplace, although he cannot work the whole day. Each day, he leaves the office with the excuse of taking care of a sick relative. But the truth, as unfolded later, is that he shares his body with Jon, who is not that talented. Jon and Jonathan are brothers according to the single-body multi-consciousness as termed in the movie.

Jonathan is an aspiring architect who is conscious from 7 am to 7 pm. Jon is a temp at a law firm and has the nightlife from 7 pm to 7 am. Jon comes to life at seven in the evening, which leads to only four hours of sleep for the men at night. Their lives are kept separate using a timing spitter installed behind his ear by a doctor, played by Patricia Clarkson who adopted him after his mother left him. At the end of every shift, one of the brothers leaves a video for the other to live in.

Jonathan isn’t aware of this coexistence, which is possible only if he adheres to certain strict rules that include no emotional involvement. Jon has been seeing a barmaid, Elena (played by Suki Waterhouse). Jonathan insists that this cannot stand and eventually confronts Elena. The sudden change in the uptight personality of her never-before-seen-in-sunlight boyfriend confuses her. As the story progresses, Jonathan also falls for Elena. This leads to complications in the situation as both personalities begin to contradict, and Jon starts feeling suicidal. The extreme emotional swings of Jon cause his personality to dominate and cut into Jonathan’s awake time. The ending of the movie shows that the suicidal Jon survives, whereas the organized Jonathan dies. But Jonathan’s memories and abilities are carried forward to Jon as they share the same brain.

Star Performance

Ansel Elgort has given a brilliant performance. He has been able to depict a contrast between the two characters, Jonathan and Jon. Jonathan is a proper, straight-posture man. Jon, his twin, has a wilder life with floppy hair and unbuttoned shirts.

Patricia Clarkson and Suki Waterhouse have given their best in the limited screen time they received.

Analysis

The movie is decent, with scope to do much more than what is showcased. The idea of single-body multi-consciousness is unique and new, but it has not been fulfilled nicely. The movie could have been more acclaimed had it been executed better. Some of the major angles of the story weren’t covered. The movie shows mainly Jonathan’s side of the story, with Jon’s part just as supportive. The fact of keeping the secret of single-body multi-consciousness with friends and employers is a tedious task that wasn’t even mentioned in the story. The ending was quite mysterious and unexpected, which added a new colour to the story.

What’s There?

Remarkable performances by the actors
Interesting Storyline
Contrasting Characters of the Twins and Their Portrayal

What’s not there?

Poor execution and direction
Poor Editing (A few scenes in between looked as if made through an ice-green filter.)
Supporting roles weren’t given due importance.
Major plot-holes

Verdict

The movie Jonathan is a story about the unique condition of two distinct personalities in one body. This unique tale has been thought well but lacks proper execution. The hunger of the audience to see more is left unfulfilled. But audiences interested in remarkable acting should watch the movie, for Ansel Elgort has done an awesome job.