Sunday, May 31, 2020

My Review of Hollywood's: "Jump"


Written by Ryan Murphy & Ian Brennan
Directed by Michael Uppendahl

Avis (to Dick/Ellen/Lon): "We're making Meg. Now everyone go home before I change my mind."

It really didn't take a lot to get Avis to change her mind but she did it and now Peg has become Meg, Camille has the part and drama certainly won't be far behind her casting for the title part either, This felt like the calm before the storm.

In the episode alone, Camille went from being congratulated by Hattie McDaniel (Queen Latifah) herself to some racist asshole making an abusive call to her as well. At least the studio are showing their support for Camille though the problems go further than racists.

Jack's own male gigolo past nearly threatened everything until Henry pulled some mafia connections to silence the reporter who had the dirt on Jack and Avis while also bagging himself a producer role above Dick's much to the latter's annoyance.

Henry might have his resources but he continued to be abhorrent to Rock this week, diminishing his happiness with getting a part in the movie. I know some comeuppance will happen to Henry but I'd like it now to be honest. On the other hand, at least Rock had some lovely scenes with Archie and Jack.

Speaking of Jack, when his reputation wasn't at threat, he found out that Henrietta was sleeping with Erwin and the twins were not. This felt like a cop out way to write Henrietta out of the series but at the same time, at least Jack was able to move in with Archie and Rock at the end of this one.

As for the older characters this week, Avis dared to make big strides in Tinsel Town, even coming up with a suitable role for Jeanne Crandall (a Lee Miller biopic) while encouraging Ellen to declare her feelings for Dick. That last bit didn't work out so well as Dick then met a handsome stranger at an underground gay bar. I hope that doesn't go the way I think it will for Dick.

- We got to see both Camille and Jack pose for George Hurrel (Aidan Bristow). Jack even posed nude with ease as well.
- Were Hattie McDaniel and Tallulah Bankhead romantically involved? Well, they were here. Ann May Wong also got a part in Meg as an alcoholic Broadway actress named Caroline and Claire as the title character's best friend, Sarah. Rock also went from gas station assistant to barman thanks to Dick's notes on the script.
- Standout music: Ethel Merman's There's No Business  Like Show Business  and Russ Morgan's You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You.
Chronology: From where the previous episode left off.

Jump certainly didn't hold back with the lengths some of the characters went to this week and it certainly didn't hold back in reminding of the risks of the movie that Meg  would be. It certainly did great for the older cast this week too with LuPone, Mantello, Taylor, Sorvino and Latifah all giving some very memorable moments throughout.

Rating: 8 out of 10

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