Denzel Washington’s first reach into the sphere of directing misses the mark.
A Journal For Jordan is filled with quiet scenes which should have an emotional impact but just move very lumberingly adding to the length of a film which is too long in the first place.
The story revolves around 1st Sergeant Charles Monroe King (Michael B. Jordan) and his relation with Dana Canedy (Chante Adams) a successful New York Times writer. The two share a relationship that is spent apart because of his military assignments.
When the relationship becomes serious and permanent (even if they don’t have time to marry) they conceive a son Jordan (Jalon Christian) and continue to live lives apart getting together when they can.
Their affection for each other is clear, and she is supported by friends at work who help her bring up Jordan when dad is not available, which is often.
Sergeant King fills out a daily journal given to him by Canedy to be given to Jordan. The Sergeant by being faithful to the task of writing in the journal, creates guide posts for his son to live by.
The Journal For Jordan eventually becomes the property of young Jordan and we hear the words read by him as the film moves on. The story also carries us through the unusual courtship and relationship between King and Adams.
The last scene is the most effective, but getting to it is probably not worth the journey.