Mr. Jones (1993)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Overrated

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Dreadfully Boring

1993 was probably the best year for Best Male Performances in Leading Roles from the 90's decade. The actual Oscar nominees in that category were Daniel Day-Lewis in "In The Name of the Father" (he should have won); Liam Neeson in "Schindler's List" & Anthony Hopkins in "The Remains of the Day" with Laurence Fishburne in "What's Love Got to Do with It" as a token nomination and the actual winner, Tom Hanks in a "just staring at the court and looking sick and hopeless" performance in "Philadelphia" that earned him several awards and critical praise much because of the subject matter than the passable performance itself. Out of this line-up there were 5 strong performances that deserved to be nominated as well: Kevin Costner in "A Perfect World"; Michael Douglas in "Falling Down"; Brad Pitt in "Kalifornia"; David Thewlis in "Naked" and Richard Gere in "Mr. Jones". Now, the Academy never respected established manly lead actors, which were also sex symbols, that came from the 80's decade, with the exception of Douglas that deservedly won for his magnificent Gordon Gekko portrayal in "Wall Street" ('87), but Costner and Gere were seen as just pretty faces and bankable stars and not Oscar material in terms of their acting. Well... they were all wrong !!"Mr. Jones" reunites Richard Gere with director Mike Figgis who directed him in one of his best performances, the dirty cop Dennis Peck in "Internal Affairs" ('90), and his portrayal of a man suffering from bipolar disorder is nothing less than astonishing & committed to the role, treating his character with empathy, dignity and respect that the ones who, sadly, suffers from this disease truly deserve.Gere is at his attractive best here, he's charming and contagious, his own world makes him one of a kind and generates affection with every person he meets, from the foreman, played by Bill Pullman in an unbilled role as a favor to Richard Gere after they work together in "Sommersby" the same year; his construction worker colleague, Howard, played by Delroy Lindo who offers a great supporting turn; the doctor of the psychiatric hospital, Elizabeth "Libbie" Bowen, played by Lena Olin, a last minute replacement for the part after Michelle Pfeiffer quit the movie to do "Batman Returns" and even Cindy Crawford, who was married to Gere at the time, in an unspoken cameo as a passer-by. Veteran lady Anne Bancroft is always welcome to this kind of role, providing a mentor figure to the doctors in the ward, but her role is very small and ultimately, plotwise pointless.The movie flows at a nice pace and Gere dominates every scene he's in, some could argue that the screenplay could have been developed better and without the stereotyped love story of the "doctor falls for the patient", but the movie works fine this way, and even if true love and genuine care can't cure the bipolar disorder, at least it helps the ones who are suffering from it to find their North Star.In short, "Mr. Jones" is a must-see for lovers of romantic drama films and for the people who want to know more about the Manic Depressive Disorder, its symptoms and the causes that lead to a suicidal depression state.Kudos to the director Mike Figgis; the screenwriter Eric Roth and the executive producer and lead star Richard Gere for their effective insight into this pathology.

This movie was a decent movie. I understood the whole approach behind it etc. but I actually got quite annoyed at the leading lady. I do not care what anyone says, her helping him was not genuine in any way.Here it is, a sick man who needs help. She knows he needs help and yet the entire time she's secretly (though quite honestly it was quite obvious from the start, even the other doctor noticed and this was only the second time she was meeting Mr. Jones) hoping to be pounded out by Mr. Jones to the point where she violates his privacy without just cause tsk tsk tsk. Both leading actors played their roles well, Richard is sexy as always and I think if Mr. Jones was not so relatable to my life I would have enjoyed it a bit more...or a bit less; I'm not sure.

The movies traditional 'happy end' happens not in the end but is placed in the middle of the movie: Mr. Jones and Libbie fall in love with all what belongs to it. The psychiatrist Libbie Bowen crosses the line, seduced by the 'manic euphoric' (today: 'bipolar') Mr Jones. He pushes himself and the others he encounters, wherever he meets them beyond of beyond. The question is where and when is the healing moment for the person and for the others? Is it when kissing euphoric the girls in the street? Is it the 'consuming' wish to direct the orchestra as one likes Beethoven? when is the too much reached. When is the line crossed of the too-much of no return? Mr. Jones: "I need my highs." At the mental hospital, he is cared for by the psychiatrist Libbie who finds herself being more than interested in him. Falling for him with: "Eyes wide shut"-open. Aware of what happens is wrong. Is the reason for her 'love fall' the disease (as psychiatrist)or as woman for this 'interesting' man? "Roger Ebert, October 8, 1993, hinted at the same, IMDb. The similarity: The divorced Wallis Simpson was asked if she was in love with the Duke of Windsor or the man Edward? We all experience difficulties. For some it develops to a traumatic situation. Ellen Ryan for him when she could not go on with him. As most of us in such a moment, she had not the unlimited strength: "She is dead" he tells Libbie. She searched, found her and talked to her. Married and two children.To be high up on the roof. At the same time caught by the black nights, haunting him. To say it with J W von Goethe (1749-1832) 'Himmelhoch jauchzend - zu Tode betrübt'. The movie ends 'up there' on the rooftop. Libbie with him on the roof. Against her wish. Called to help. After her mistake she resigned. What is illness: "You are not sick, you have a sickness." Focused like this medicine can be a help. Mr Jones: "I am not ill. I am like this." How does it end? Who takes the first step? Absolutely not Mr Jones as he thrives with these kind of games. She. Her responsibility. As staff falling in love with a patient and crossing the line as (they) she did is not only wrong but a case for the police. Libbie knows it, taking the consequences."I want to fly but I can't", he says. "Now you know" answers Libbie and he: "What do we now?" "A cup of coffee, defrag coffee" is her answer on top of the roof.What will happen after the coffee and beyond the movie How will it be when Mr. Jones needs now and then to be on top. Can the psychiatrist Libbie be at his side - be and give the support he needs? And of course what they are for each other as man and woman? In 'between' are seen other cases. One free-will-case ends tragic. Against the staffs advice a female patient is released home with her parents. Committed soon at home suicide.

This film in the short time allowed gives a very real glimpse of what it is like to be a manic depressive and the effect the 'highs and lows' have on the sufferer and those who come into contact with them. You will discover that the 'highs' of a manic are addictive to him and something he can't live with or without. Mr Jones enjoys his 'highs' so much that he is willing to forsake all those that have been close to him. Richard Gere gives an excellent performance of Mr Jones and takes the audience with him in his very convincing portrayal of a bi-polar. The film echoes what happens in real life for many with bi-polar as they drive those that love them most away. The film is entertaining and educational which is a rare combination in a film. The film finishes on a positive note as Mr Jones finds someone who is willing to take him as he is and not someone controlled or deadened by mind altering drugs. Mr Jones is well worth watching.