Blue Jay

Name: Blue Jay
Genre: Drama
Released: October 7, 2016
Duration: 80 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Mark Duplass, Sarah Paulson

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Ratings

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Blue Jay

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Movie Details & Credits

Orchard, The | Release Date: October 7, 2016 | Not Rated

Starring: Mark Duplass, Sarah Paulson

Summary: Former high school sweethearts (Sarah Paulson and Mark Duplass) reconnect after 20 years when they unexpectedly run into each other in their hometown. They spend the day together, sharing stories and rediscovering old feelings, as well as a big secret from their past.

Director: Alexandre Lehmann

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 80 min

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Critic Reviews

Joey Nolfi

Oct 6, 2016

Instead of treating puppy love like child’s play, Blue Jay savors the fantasy of foundations built in adolescence, kindled while the heart is still young, and draws out the agonizing reality that romance ultimately fizzles out of necessity as we age and mature. Read full review

Robert Yaniz Jr.

Oct 11, 2016

Sarah Paulson and Mark Duplass shine in Blue Jay, a charming nostalgia trip tackling heady themes in a manner that is both lovingly awkward and brutally real. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Oct 7, 2016

A gentle, genuine trip down memory lane that features one of our best actresses in the kind of role she doesn’t get to play that often, and another great turn in the arc of an independent film icon. Read full review

Serena Donadoni

Oct 5, 2016

Lehmann shot Blue Jay in a gorgeous black-and-white that looks like silver gelatin prints (a photographic process that captures boundless gradations of gray), which complements the story's heartfelt simplicity. Read full review

The Playlist Kevin Jagernauth

Oct 3, 2016

Lehmann’s real imprint isn’t found in the visuals, but in the performances evoked from both Duplass and Paulson. While the former may have the showstopper moments, it’s the latter who stands out. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Oct 3, 2016

Paulson and Duplass make all this talk (never once mumbling) fascinating, lived-in and real, taking us into the sad, lost lives of these two long lost lovers. Read full review

Gary Goldstein

Oct 13, 2016

The largely improvisational approach as well as the limited settings and story arc also undercut the picture’s deeper dramatic potential — despite a powerful, beautifully performed finale. Read full review

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User Reviews

yupmarsie

Aug 29, 2020

I originally typed in all caps because of my intense emotion but I LOVE YOU SARAH PAULSON

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Lumpbumsten

Dec 8, 2016

A quiet, bittersweet film with acting so natural, you feel as though a camera had been placed in the room by happenstance as it captures the interaction between our two leads. I watched this film expecting something real cheesy, and while it does have it's lighter, sillier moments, it's allA quiet, bittersweet film with acting so natural, you feel as though a camera had been placed in the room by happenstance as it captures the interaction between our two leads. I watched this film expecting something real cheesy, and while it does have it's lighter, sillier moments, it's all and all very human, sometimes achingly so. If you have an hour and a half to kill and want to spend it watching something that captures the complexities and aches of a love long lost, give this little gem a shot. I believe I have found a new favourite film and seeing Sarah Paulson really shine in this role has earned her a permanent spot in my top ten favourite actors. She had impressed me with American Horror Story, but she blows me away here.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

anjoliev

Oct 6, 2020

Believable story with excellent improv acting. It's a slow rollercoaster through all emotions put in a beautiful way. Loved it!

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imthenoob

Dec 27, 2016

I always liked Duplass as an actor but it wasn't until this movie that I really started to respect him as a writer. The film revolves around two former lovers reuniting after years apart with only a small bit part to a cashier at a store they use to visit. The film is strictly between theI always liked Duplass as an actor but it wasn't until this movie that I really started to respect him as a writer. The film revolves around two former lovers reuniting after years apart with only a small bit part to a cashier at a store they use to visit. The film is strictly between the male and female leads, played by Duplass and Paulson, and both deliver great performances.

From the awkward reunion to the emotional breakdown at the end of the film, These two stayed true to the characters they played. It truly felt genuine watching them on screen, Their chemistry was through the roof and it really made this film so much better than what it could have been.

So hats off to Duplass for writing and acting in this very satisfying film. Go see it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

3ebfan511

Aug 7, 2017

This film is like re-living high school and the feelings of young love in your high schools years battling with whatever currently is going on with your life, and the disparity between those two worlds, or what they could have been. Its probably one of the better sentimental love stories ofThis film is like re-living high school and the feelings of young love in your high schools years battling with whatever currently is going on with your life, and the disparity between those two worlds, or what they could have been. Its probably one of the better sentimental love stories of the last few years, and may have you reminiscing yourself.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrianMcCritic

Dec 25, 2016

A very small drama based on a day with a past love. This is really just two characters who are reconnecting and the script is very well written. You enjoy just listening to these characters and while I never got fully invested I still think it's worth your time. B

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Flipje

May 26, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is one of those films you feel grateful for sitting through yet when asked if you'd give it a second glance, you might pause and consider your precious time. Not to say that Blue Jay is not agonzingly poignant and well-made. It is both. It's a solid little gem but like trying olives for the first time as a child, you know you should enjoy it more but something tells you, don't force it. The film premise promises to be direct and authentic as two former teen sweethearts awkwardly reconnect in a rustic California town. These middle-aged souls actually meet while out at the grocery store, with Amanda (Paulson) sporting a woolen cap and Jim (Duplass) looking especially disheveled in his shaggy beard. From there, all is not right in the best of all possible worlds though surfaces seem to suggest as much. Jim is in town to renovate his deceased mother's house. Amanda is visiting her sister, a new mother. Her life: she never had kids herself, instead became a step-mother to two wonderful kids. Happily married to an wonderful older man. Jim is spouse-less and childless. Things are not looking good for him in post-relationship bingo. And as an audience member, a part of you prays (secretly) at this point, when these initial admissions are spoken over coffee, let's end it there. Jim, just walk away, she's clearly got you beat but of course the movie has to happen, and the past is rehashed during the course of a single day. The poignant: revisiting the store where they bought alcohol and being recognized by the elderly owner or when the two former sweethearts rediscover tapes from their teen years when they pretended to be older or supposedly mature. I liked when Jim and Amanda were lying in the back of his truck, staring at the stars but the gut wrenching starts when they finally get to their grievances at the core of their break-up. This movie captures the difficulties of unexpressed woe and conflicted memories. As a film, it does the trick but when ideally do you watch a film like this? When is it cathartic for a viewer? This is not a Friday night, pizza night flick nor something you would want to sit through with the love of your life during moments of puppy romance. This is the real life equivalent to getting expensive wine on your shirt. You have to get through it, go through the motions of handling the mess but at least you know your taste is inpeccable.… Expand

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