Jack Goes Boating is the first movie directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, based on Robert Glaudini‘s play, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Ryan, John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega.

Plot:
Jack (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is a limo driver whose life revolves mostly around reggae and his friendship with Clyde (John Ortiz). Clyde and his girlfriend Lucy (Daphne Rubin-Vega) decide to set Jack up on a blind date with Connie (Amy Ryan). Even though they are both socially a bit awkward this works surprisingly well. When Connie says she would like to go boating with Jack in summer (even though it’s the middle of winter), Jack even starts to learn swimming.

Jack Goes Boating is an extremely sweet movie. It’s very calm, and Philip Seymour Hoffman is an unagitated director which works very well with the material. And the performances are very good, too.

Jack and Connie are a very sweet couple. They’re weird, no doubt about it. But in this film, even though it’s an independent movie, weirdness doesn’t automatically mean quirky and it’s nice to get this calm, awkward kind of weirdness without all the frantic energy tha tusually comes with quirky. And did I mention how sweet they are. The film ends with this quote, which just makes me want to cuddle them both and then anybody else who comes near me at that moment:

Jack: Don’t worry, I’m a good swimmer.
Connie: I knew you’d be good.
Jack: I am for you.

The cast was very good (otherwise the film would probably haven’t worked since it was so character-centered). Philip Seymour Hoffman somehow manages to keep Jack from becoming ridiculous but gives him good-heartedness and quiet dignity. You understand why Connie likes him, even though he is a guy who is obsessed with “Rivers of Babylon.” John Ortiz is great, too, as are Amy Ryan and Daphne Rubin-Vega. Their relationships with each other are pretty much tangible.

And to top it all off, the script is intelligent and the story is told with a very nice sense of humor. And it made me smile like mad.

Summarising: Watch it. It’s a film that makes happy.