This Movie Is a Dark Comedy Disaster

The art of dark comedy can be quite delicate, especially within the realm of family-oriented narratives. Movies such as “The War of the Roses” by Danny DeVito and “Harold and Maude” serve as excellent examples from this specific genre that I hold dear. In a similar vein, the film “The Trouble with Jessica” appears to be attempting to replicate that balance between a somber narrative and morbid humor, as envisioned by its co-writers/directors Matt Winn and James Handel. Regrettably, this effort seems to have missed the mark significantly.

The Struggle Surrounding Jessica

This intriguing tale revolves around two married pairs: Sarah (portrayed by Shirley Henderson) and Tom (Alan Tudyk), along with Richard (Rufus Sewell) and Beth (Olivia Williams). One evening, they gather for a dinner at Sarah’s residence, which they are planning to sell soon. However, their peaceful meal quickly turns into a tense night as buried conflicts resurface among the group.

The source of this tension stems from their wild-hearted friend, Jessica (Indira Varma), who unexpectedly joins them. She criticizes their conventional lives and shows affection towards Tom, causing discomfort within the group. Their peaceful evening is further disrupted when one of them meets an untimely end, forcing them to conceal the body to prevent affecting the house’s sale.

The Trouble With This Movie Is Its Insensitive Handling Of Its Plot

There Doesn’t Seem To Be Any Sympathy

The structure of the movie “Trouble with Jessica” could have resulted in an entertaining dark comedy, similar to films like “Weekend at Bernie’s” and both the original and remake of “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead.” However, it turns out to be disconcerting to view. As suggested by its title, Jessica meets her untimely death during a dinner party, not from accidentally choking on food or being killed by one of the other guests, but apparently due to a heated argument with Sarah, which leads to suicide.

As a cinephile, I find it challenging when a significant event is used as the driving force for a movie’s narrative, especially when its execution feels misguided, as is the case with this film. The other characters seem remarkably slow to grasp the gravity of the situation. Sarah and Tom, in particular, almost instantaneously shift their focus from the dire circumstances at hand to their personal issues. Specifically, they start worrying about how Jessica’s demise might disrupt their plans to sell their house and dodge financial ruin.

As the plot unfolds, it becomes increasingly problematic that “The Trouble with Jessica” seemingly fails to grasp the contemporary significance of portraying such a scenario. I’d propose that comedic treatment of this sensitive subject matter is misguided at best, but when the film consistently paints Jessica as the antagonist, it appears to be devoid of empathy towards suicidal thoughts. This results in an uneasy blend of dark comedy, making it even more questionable.

The Movie Is Also Just Largely Unfunny

There Are A Few Chuckles To Be Had, But Most Jokes Are Signposted & Unoriginal

I expected that given the film was intended as a comedy, it would provide humor throughout its narrative involving disguises; however, The Trouble with Jessica fell short in this regard, struggling to elicit laughter despite an insensitive storyline. The arguments portrayed in the initial scenes of the movie are reminiscent of many other comedies in the genre, offering nothing new or amusing when it comes to common complaints about work, children, and aging.

In the movie, I found myself squirming during the scenes where Richard, a defense attorney for rapists, was the focus. The film seemed to struggle with striking the right balance between dark comedy and discomfort, as it was evident that everyone involved in the production was uneasy discussing such a sensitive topic. Despite the attempts to elicit sympathy for Richard and his jokes about the job for the sake of providing for his family, I couldn’t help but feel repulsed by the words he spoke instead.

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, the film’s attempt at blending dark humor and emotional depth falls flat during the chilling discovery of Jessica’s body. Instead of creating an impactful, somber moment, the directors opt for a fast-paced jazzy soundtrack that seems out of place. The protagonist, Tom, is struck by a cramp, leaving him incapable of offering assistance, while the rest of the characters appear lost and disoriented in their attempts to react.

This scene is so tonally discordant that it disrupts the flow of the narrative for me personally. It’s not just my subjective reaction to the movie’s handling of this sensitive topic; the jarring shift in tone undermines the intended impact of the scene and detracts from the overall cinematic experience.

This doesn’t mean that the movie “The Trouble with Jessica” lacks humor entirely. In fact, an unexpected encounter with the people interested in buying Tom and Sarah’s house leads to a humorous, dry tour of the property. Moreover, a car ride to Jessica’s place ends up with a young couple getting overly affectionate on the group’s parked vehicle, which provides a delightful burst of shock humor for everyone involved.

The Cast Plays Their Unlikable Parts Well

Maybe I Would’ve Been More Invested In The Story If The Group Were Less Detestable

Among the aspects that resulted in mixed feelings for me was the film’s exceptionally talented ensemble cast. The principal actors convincingly embodied their characters, with Henderson standing out as an intriguing enigma, consistently captivating the audience throughout the movie. Sewell delivered a captivating, gradually escalating performance, contrasting starkly with his initial portrayal of the calm and composed defense attorney at the film’s onset.

Regardless of the actors’ diligent performances, unfortunately, the characters in “The Trouble with Jessica” remain hard to root for due to their unlikeable nature. The script could have provided opportunities for viewers to relate to this problematic group, but it falls short, leaving us with minimal instances where we can understand or identify with them. As a result, the storyline often feels exasperating rather than engaging, as the characters’ morally questionable actions and interactions fail to resonate emotionally.

The Trouble with Jessica releases in theaters on April 25.

2025-04-25 19:57