I think if you're somewhat interested in the subject don't let the bad reviews scare you away. It's a decent drama and I did like the acting from both of the leading stars. It is clearly not about Jake but for me that was already obvious from the trailer. It's about parenting and trying to figure out what is best you can do for your kid, I think it addressed valid insecurities, worries and questions and feels like watching real-life problems of the parents
44 Reviews
It's really about the parents of Jake
chong_an25 May 2018
SPOILER: Given that this was originally written as a play, it may be unavoidable that most of the story is of the adults. Jake's father is a Freudian-style psychologist, and there is a fair degree of filler as he repeatedly meets with a client. Jake's mother has had ballet training, had worked as a lawyer, but dropped out to be a full-time mother, to the disapproval of HER mother.
Filled with fairy tales read by his mother, there is little attempt by either parent to "correct" Jake's non-gender-conforming behavior - wearing dresses, playing the role of princess. Even at a queer-friendly pre-school, there are signs of trouble. Things get worse when the parents try to place Jake in a private kindergarten, where trial placements often end up with verbal abuse and fights.
The entire story happens over maybe 8 months, so there is no answer to the question as to whether Jake grows out non-conforming behavior, or actually identifies as a girl. I did note that Jake's last scene had him wearing not a dress but a tutu. Was it all simply his mother's influence?
Filled with fairy tales read by his mother, there is little attempt by either parent to "correct" Jake's non-gender-conforming behavior - wearing dresses, playing the role of princess. Even at a queer-friendly pre-school, there are signs of trouble. Things get worse when the parents try to place Jake in a private kindergarten, where trial placements often end up with verbal abuse and fights.
The entire story happens over maybe 8 months, so there is no answer to the question as to whether Jake grows out non-conforming behavior, or actually identifies as a girl. I did note that Jake's last scene had him wearing not a dress but a tutu. Was it all simply his mother's influence?
Gender confusion or parent confusion?
NiaSkywalker731 March 2019
To me, this movie portrayed parents so worried about their child being a victim of gender "expansion", that they missed the point that he was exhibiting aggressive behavior and stubbornness issues. Also, I love and adore Jim Parsons, but it was painful watching him attempt to portray a straight man....just as it is painful to watch the straight Eric McCormack attempt to portray a gay man. It just doesn't work.
Challenging Perspective
crabby5169 February 2021
I'm surprised at the number of reviews complaining that the character of Jake doesn't get enough screen time. As a non-parent I was glad to see that this story focuses on a set of parents that truly cannot see what the world including Jake can see. I think the writing and performances allowed me to grasp what it must be like to be a parent and be deaf and blind to others' (unsolicited and solicited) opinions. As with any parents' story this showed their strengths and weaknesses. Definitely worth watching.
Widely Sensitizing and Gripping
Manveer_Mathur15 July 2019
A Kid Like Jake takes us into the lives of a couple living in Brooklyn trying to admit their 4 year old in a good school while slowly realizing that their kid might be transgender.
The movie focuses heavily on how the parents (Jim Parsons & Claire Danes) cope with the possibility of their child being a trans. As they come to terms with their son's interest in dressing up in skirts and playing with Cinderella, they have to make a choice.They go through all the stages - denial, ignorance, fighting back and finally acceptance.
Having excellent screenplay, it is a dialogue heavy film. With a strong performance from the lead actors, A Kid Like Jake successfully delivers a sensitizing message on how transgender children feel and the right way to nurture them.
The movie focuses heavily on how the parents (Jim Parsons & Claire Danes) cope with the possibility of their child being a trans. As they come to terms with their son's interest in dressing up in skirts and playing with Cinderella, they have to make a choice.They go through all the stages - denial, ignorance, fighting back and finally acceptance.
Having excellent screenplay, it is a dialogue heavy film. With a strong performance from the lead actors, A Kid Like Jake successfully delivers a sensitizing message on how transgender children feel and the right way to nurture them.
Great cast but weak storytelling weird editing
firti5 October 2018
Well cast is great yes jake is almost invisible but i think the guilt for this result is a weak screenplay and weak directing editing there are a lot of meaningless scenes does not add anything to the movie wish it would be a better film as it is a good topic and good actors
Need More Jake
westsideschl12 September 2018
Good subject, but just didn't learn much or feel much of a connection to the issue and especially to Jake who maybe occupied five minutes of an 89 minute movie. Seemed to be more about the parents personal issues so maybe should have been titled "The Parents of Jake". Seems many other 5 star & lower viewer's comments had similar thoughts.
Predictive Pronouns
scythertitus16 March 2019
What feels like it is going to be a cutting edge comedy about parents trying to exploit the current climate of political correctness and positive discrimination soon gives way to a dull morality tale about reluctance and acceptance of a foregone conclusion.
This movie is for older people who still find the whole transgender thing weird, wagging a finger at those who can't accept their own child's choices. This could have worked better if they actually dissected the child's mentality and experience of life, but the film shys away from that, instead focusing on the parents and their problems, therefore obscuring the issue while simultaneously acting like they are exploring it in fear of displaying something potentially offensive.
Overall this movie comes across too heavy handed, while also being to removed from the real debate of whether or not a parent or child can really know what conclusions to draw when faced with the complex issue of gender, let alone how private schools then deal with these issues.
This movie is for older people who still find the whole transgender thing weird, wagging a finger at those who can't accept their own child's choices. This could have worked better if they actually dissected the child's mentality and experience of life, but the film shys away from that, instead focusing on the parents and their problems, therefore obscuring the issue while simultaneously acting like they are exploring it in fear of displaying something potentially offensive.
Overall this movie comes across too heavy handed, while also being to removed from the real debate of whether or not a parent or child can really know what conclusions to draw when faced with the complex issue of gender, let alone how private schools then deal with these issues.
if you enjoy arguing
ferguson-631 May 2018
Greetings again from the darkness. Hot societal topics often become fodder for new movies, and this usually results in a slew of similar stories - some good, others not so good. Currently, discussions of gender identity is second only to Trump-bashing in terms of media attention, and so we can expect Hollywood to rush-to-production in order to capitalize. This latest from director Silas Howard had a timing advantage as it was adapted by writer Daniel Pearle from his own play.
The titular Jake is a 4 year old (his 5th birthday party plays a role) who enjoys fairy tales and dressing like a princess. His stay-at-home mom (Claire Danes as Alex Wheeler) and psychologist father (Jim Parsons as Greg Wheeler) are aware of Jake's preferences, but as with most things in their marriage, what minimal conversation occurs is of the over-the-top arguing type. The "issue" is painfully and awkwardly brought to the forefront as the parenting couple subject themselves to the Private Pre-School application process.
The challenges of parenthood, including judgmental friends and relatives, and the competitive nature of comparisons, are beyond obvious in most every scene of Act 1. Even Alex's (probably not coincidental that her name is gender-neutral) mother (Ann Dowd) is passive-aggressive in her judgments of Alex quitting her job as a lawyer to stay home with her son. Octavia Spencer co-stars as Jake's teacher and counselor to the Wheelers during the application process, and even her role has a twist designed to elicit more judgment and discrimination.
There is really nothing convincing throughout the film. It's barely Lifetime Channel material, with a simplified emphasis on the difficulties of raising a non-conforming child. The incessant arguing amongst parents, family members, and friends makes each successive scene more annoying than the previous. The film should have been entitled "Parents Like Jake's" because Jake has almost no screen time, while Ms. Danes flashes her "Carrie cry-face" (for "Homeland" fans) incessantly.
Certainly the topic of gender identity and non-conformity is worthy of discussion and analysis, as it has entered mainstream conscience in less than one generation. Anxiety and confusion exists, and even well-meaning conversation can take a wrong turn quickly. We just need - and deserve - better guidance than this film provides.
The titular Jake is a 4 year old (his 5th birthday party plays a role) who enjoys fairy tales and dressing like a princess. His stay-at-home mom (Claire Danes as Alex Wheeler) and psychologist father (Jim Parsons as Greg Wheeler) are aware of Jake's preferences, but as with most things in their marriage, what minimal conversation occurs is of the over-the-top arguing type. The "issue" is painfully and awkwardly brought to the forefront as the parenting couple subject themselves to the Private Pre-School application process.
The challenges of parenthood, including judgmental friends and relatives, and the competitive nature of comparisons, are beyond obvious in most every scene of Act 1. Even Alex's (probably not coincidental that her name is gender-neutral) mother (Ann Dowd) is passive-aggressive in her judgments of Alex quitting her job as a lawyer to stay home with her son. Octavia Spencer co-stars as Jake's teacher and counselor to the Wheelers during the application process, and even her role has a twist designed to elicit more judgment and discrimination.
There is really nothing convincing throughout the film. It's barely Lifetime Channel material, with a simplified emphasis on the difficulties of raising a non-conforming child. The incessant arguing amongst parents, family members, and friends makes each successive scene more annoying than the previous. The film should have been entitled "Parents Like Jake's" because Jake has almost no screen time, while Ms. Danes flashes her "Carrie cry-face" (for "Homeland" fans) incessantly.
Certainly the topic of gender identity and non-conformity is worthy of discussion and analysis, as it has entered mainstream conscience in less than one generation. Anxiety and confusion exists, and even well-meaning conversation can take a wrong turn quickly. We just need - and deserve - better guidance than this film provides.
Important, but not quite there...
monkeygurl229230 December 2018
I was instantly captivated by the potential behind this movie. I think the story line is something that more parents (and kids) really need to see. Young kids can be trans and they can have behavioural issues as a result. It's imporant that parents know this is potentially something to look for and its important for kids to get that support... saying all that.... I think this movie was poorly executed. I think Jim did a great job in his role as the timid social worker father but everything else seemed to lack sustenence and I felt like it took me 90 minutes to get through what could have been 30 minutes of a movie. I was also really hoping for more from the child, but I guess it was targeted for the parents persepective. Overall, I think people should watch the movie... but don't expect it to be mind blowing or extreamly captivating. It's a good learning oppertunity and eye openeing but not a great movie
Doesn't accomplish what it wants to!!
vandrist1 December 2018
It's 2018, so it was only a matter or time before a movie like this was made. I think much like what this movie is about, it struggles to find what it wants to be. I don't think this movie is a fair representation of what a family goes through when their kid struggles with finding their identity. I don't disagree with making a movie like this and raising awareness, but this was poorly executed. Don't get lost in the higher profiles actors and be fooled that this good.
I loved this movie!
gfranco111618 February 2020
I thought this story was very appropriate for this point in time. Children are dealing with gender issues. This movie gives us a look into the lives of a couple trying to come to terms with their 4 year old son preferring clothing and play mostly associated with the opposite gender. Jim Parsons does a great job as a counselor and caring father. Claire Danes makes us feel her anguish as the attentive mother. Both parents struggle to accept their child for who "they" are. Can they?
A kid Like Jake
Russinez18 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This was a good movie. It was about parents and their journey and struggle in realising their child is transgender. It offered no answers to a complicated situation but revealed the emotional impact parents face. I thought it was very well done
Without Jake
SnoopyStyle28 August 2018
Alex (Claire Danes) and Greg Wheeler (Jim Parsons) are loving parents of their son Jake in New York. He's a psychiatrist who avoids confrontation. She's a former lawyer staying home to care for Jake despite shade from her mother (Ann Dowd). They send Jake to kindergarten run by Judy (Octavia Spencer). Judy reports some difficulties with Jake wearing dresses as the loving parents struggle with this gender issue.
This is a story about Jake. Jake should be the lead. Jake holds the more compelling drama. Jake is rarely seen and even less heard from. This is a story about Jake without Jake. The major dramatic event comes in the second half. The first half is mostly the parents tippy toeing the issue and the movie is infected with the tippy toeing. Instead of immersing in the drama, it walks around it and avoids it. This could be a great movie if it's about the kid and not the parents.
This is a story about Jake. Jake should be the lead. Jake holds the more compelling drama. Jake is rarely seen and even less heard from. This is a story about Jake without Jake. The major dramatic event comes in the second half. The first half is mostly the parents tippy toeing the issue and the movie is infected with the tippy toeing. Instead of immersing in the drama, it walks around it and avoids it. This could be a great movie if it's about the kid and not the parents.
"A Kid Like Jake"? Who? He hardly even remember him in the movie!
robertmacduffie6 June 2018
I don't really remember "Jake" being in the movie much! It was just about his parents and their conflicts in dealing having a weird kid. While we're on the subject of weird... I find it really difficult to buy that Parsons is actually a mainstream heterosexual parent in this film. He is not that good of an actor to be trying to pull it off. Now sure, he does play a straight guy in "The Big Bang Theory", but he plays a weird socially inept research scientist. This move is totally out of his range.
Anyway, the movie really was terrible. Lots of arguing and bad acting. Maybe if it were a TV movie, it might be okay, but I still wouldn't watch it.
Anyway, the movie really was terrible. Lots of arguing and bad acting. Maybe if it were a TV movie, it might be okay, but I still wouldn't watch it.
Don't bother
alexdare24 August 2018
Should have been titled " the parents of a kid like Jake"
janiepharm2 November 2018
Watching this movie, I couldn't see anything other than weird Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory and crazy Carrie Mathison from Homeland trying to manage their special child. Of course the child would be special. But the movie is all about the parents and not about what help Jake should receive to try to manage his challenges. Very disappointing.
Incredible Acting and True to life Dialogue
ljbimoore-8491622 April 2019
I loved this film. It offers no answers, just a discussion and a snapshot of what life for the parents of a non-gender-conforming child must be like. Both parents (and all the adults in Jake's life actually) are trying their hardest to do what is best for him. They all clearly love him and want him to be happy.
The dialogue in this film is perfect, everything feels natural and organic; it's as though, you're truly watching these moments unfold on a hidden camera. The scenes are acted beautifully, with truth and authenticity.
Those reviewers claiming that Jim Parsons is limited in his ability to play a straight character are showing their own bias. This character is specifically shown as a gentle man, one who does not himself conform to some "macho" stereotype. He plays the character wonderfully with subtlety and ease. I also felt the chemistry between him and Claire Danes was great. It is established very early on how much they love each other and what great friends they are as well; which becomes increasingly important as you watch them struggle with the challenges the situation brings to their marriage. I was genuinely routing for them.
I only took one star off because there is a bit of odd editing in the first 15-20 minutes of the film. But that resolves itself and the pacing becomes another helpful device in this incredibly well told story.
I highly recommend this film!!
The dialogue in this film is perfect, everything feels natural and organic; it's as though, you're truly watching these moments unfold on a hidden camera. The scenes are acted beautifully, with truth and authenticity.
Those reviewers claiming that Jim Parsons is limited in his ability to play a straight character are showing their own bias. This character is specifically shown as a gentle man, one who does not himself conform to some "macho" stereotype. He plays the character wonderfully with subtlety and ease. I also felt the chemistry between him and Claire Danes was great. It is established very early on how much they love each other and what great friends they are as well; which becomes increasingly important as you watch them struggle with the challenges the situation brings to their marriage. I was genuinely routing for them.
I only took one star off because there is a bit of odd editing in the first 15-20 minutes of the film. But that resolves itself and the pacing becomes another helpful device in this incredibly well told story.
I highly recommend this film!!
A Missed Opportunity
illymflt8 June 2018
This film wasn't ready for production.
The characters are massively underdeveloped, and the storyline is just self-contradictory and nonsensical all around, devoid of any substance.
The film communicates very little - if anything at all.
The characters are massively underdeveloped, and the storyline is just self-contradictory and nonsensical all around, devoid of any substance.
The film communicates very little - if anything at all.
Poor Jake
jmiller2119 February 2019
With parents and teachers like these, that kid doesn't stand a chance. This movie could be a documentary on how to destroy a child's future. This is a household where the parents are at best confused, and probably too immature to raise a child. There are no boundaries, no expectations and no one has the courage to put a disruptive non conforming child in his place. You want a messed up kid? Follow this example.
Garbage
bradlivingston-1503010 June 2018
Beware of the "Judies"
vgergo727 December 2019
Parents Point of view
lblikas29 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I don't understand why everyone is so obsessed to see so much of Jake on the film. Jake is happy as he is and at this tender age he doesn't understand what's all the fuzz about. It's up to the parents to protect and love him. It is a film about a very deliquiate subject where a 5 year is not classified as ''normal'' cause he doesn't like boyish things. At this age is crucial how parents accept and love their child when they realize he/she is considered different in our society. Anyone who says that it is easy to deal with something like this is a liaaaar. I loved to watch these parents' journey from doubt and denial to acceptance. They tried to make Jake happy just the way he is. I hope all the parents out there could put their child's happiness first and ignore the well-known "oh but what the people will say'' .F@@@ it as long as your child is happy you don't give a sh@@!!
Where's Jake?
Doctor_Dexter19 March 2020
"Show, don't tell" is the golden rule of cinema and literature. Here, they never show and can't stop telling (each other off). What we get is adults, endlessly talking about all the problems they're experiencing regarding their kid, a boy they think may be transgender. There is no shortage of adults talking about the kid, describing the kid's 'unusual' behaviour and all they have to deal with accordingly. The protagonist however, is seldom seen throughout the film. You can hear a frustrated/angry kid screaming on occasion, but that's mainly it.
It's uninteresting cinema, and it does little or nothing to show what life is really like for transgender people, including children. Showing the 'ordeal' of their parents is rather damaging imho. Imagine a film about the 'ordeal' of parents of a gay kid. No one in their right mind would make such a film anymore.
Perhaps it was well intended, perhaps it was an attempt to jump on the transgender-bandwagon. Either way, it's not good cinema, and it doesn't help anyone.
It's uninteresting cinema, and it does little or nothing to show what life is really like for transgender people, including children. Showing the 'ordeal' of their parents is rather damaging imho. Imagine a film about the 'ordeal' of parents of a gay kid. No one in their right mind would make such a film anymore.
Perhaps it was well intended, perhaps it was an attempt to jump on the transgender-bandwagon. Either way, it's not good cinema, and it doesn't help anyone.
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