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Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Chanté Adams, Robert Wisdom, Johnny M. Wu, Jalon Christian, Tamara Tunie
OUR RATING: ★★★☆☆
Story:
Drama directed by Denzel Washington. Based on a true story, A Journal for Jordan (2021) centers on Sergeant Charles Monroe King (Michael B. Jordan), a soldier deployed to Iraq who begins to keep a journal of love and advice for his young son. Back at home, senior New York Times editor Dana Canedy (Chanté Adams) revisits the story of her unlikely, life-altering relationship with King and his enduring devotion to her and their child.
Our Favorite Quotes:
'Your thoughts and actions must be open to change and improvement. But your convictions must be non-negotiable. So live by your convictions.' - Charles King (A Journal for Jordan) Click To Tweet
Best Quotes
Miriam: Why are you still breastfeeding? Jordan’s one.
Dana Canedy: Because the World Health Organization recommends it for up to two years and beyond.
Miriam: Kid’s got a mouth full of teeth, D. He’s going to be able to spell “milk” pretty soon. Doesn’t it hurt?
Dana Canedy: It’s a good way for us to stay close.
Miriam: Please don’t isolate yourself.
Dana Canedy: I’m not isolated, we’re talking right now.
Miriam: You know what I mean, D. You come here, you work, you go home. That’s all you ever do.
Dana Canedy: I’m a single mother.
Miriam: Alright. You’re not going to talk to me, you better talk to someone.
Dana Canedy: I am fine.
Miriam: I don’t think you’re fine.
Dana Canedy: I would tell you if I wasn’t.
Dana Canedy: [to baby Jordan] “Dear Jordan, I want you to know that it’s alright for boys to cry. Sometimes crying can release a lot of pain and stress. It has nothing to do with your manhood.” Your father wrote that. He wrote this whole thing. Just for you. I thought you should hear it because, well, you cry a lot.
Dana Canedy: Dear Jordan, if you are reading this, it means that we got through the sorrowful years somehow, and that you are old enough to understand all that I am about to tell you. The first time I saw your father, Charles Monroe King, was in the living room of the house where I grew up. It was the spring of 1998. And I was visiting your grandfather for his birthday.
Dana Canedy: [referring to her ex-boyfriend] We are not getting back together, okay? It’s over.
Penny Canedy: You never know.
Dana Canedy: No, mom. Some things you do know.
Dana Canedy: [referring to their parents] They stress me out. Why do you think I’m staying at a hotel?
Mike Canedy: Same reason we out here getting high.
Dana Canedy: I just don’t understand how she stays with him all these years.
Gwen Canedy: She loves him.
Dana Canedy: That is not love. It’s fear. She’s scared to end up alone.
Gwen Canedy: [referring to his marriage] But are you happy?
Mike Canedy: Yeah. We fight and s**t. But, yeah.
Gwen Canedy: See, there’s hope. Now I just got to find the right guy.
Dana Canedy: Good luck. Men are luxuries. Not necessities.
Gwen, Mike: Damn.
Dana Canedy: I’m not playing.
Mike Canedy: Apparently not.
Dana Canedy: [referring to Charles] Saw your friend in there.
Sgt. T.J. Canedy: He finish putting my picture up yet?
Dana Canedy: Not yet. But you’re going to love it.
Sgt. T.J. Canedy: He’s talented, isn’t he? And good looking.
Dana Canedy: You don’t talk much, do you?
Charles King: Yeah, I do. I mean, when I got something to say.
Dana Canedy: You can take the girl out of the city, you can’t take the city out of the girl.
Dana Canedy: You know I’m a journalist, so I have to ask. My parents have been there for you how?
Charles King: I’m going through a divorce.
Dana Canedy: Oh. I’m sorry.
Charles King: Don’t be.
Charles King: I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love my parents, but I don’t think I would have made it through without yours. Why do you seem so surprised?
Dana Canedy: You didn’t grow up with them.
Dana Canedy: So, what made you join the Army?
Charles King: The discipline. The travel. And I love my country. So I always wanted to serve. Plus, the camo just brings out my eyes.
'Pain is better than nothing. Because without pain, it's impossible to find joy.' - Dana Canedy (A Journal for Jordan) Click To Tweet
Dana Canedy: [referring to being in the army] It’s a tough way to make a living.
Charles King: Yes, ma’am, it is.
Dana Canedy: You know you don’t have to call me ma’am.
Charles King: I know. I don’t want to either.
Gwen Canedy: [to Dana, referring to Charles] Well, I thought men were luxuries, not necessities. You’re lucky you saw him first.
Charles King: [over phone] Listen, Dana, I would have called you sooner. But I just, I want to be honest, and my divorce just got final.
Dana Canedy: I don’t want to make things harder for you, Charles.
Charles King: No, but you’re not. You’re not. That’s exactly why I’m calling you right now.
Dana Canedy: You’ve got your daughter to think about.
Charles King: And I’m always going to be thinking about her. You know, it’s not going to change. But I just want you to know that you don’t have anything to worry about. I promise.
Charles King: [over phone] Dana, I want you to know I’ve been thinking about you. A lot.
Dana Canedy: Well, you have had three weeks.
Dana Canedy: Hang up.
Charles King: You hang up.
Dana Canedy: No, you hang up.
Charles King: Are we really doing this right now?
Dana Canedy: I guess we are.
Dana Canedy: [referring to his divorce] Well, how did you handle it?
Charles King: How did I handle it? It was, I felt like a failure. We tried to make it work. But, you know, we were young. We were kids, trying to figure it out. And, you know, we both were to blame, you know. So, it hurt.
Dana Canedy: Well, I’m sorry you were hurt.
Dana Canedy: [referring to her parents marriage] He used to say that she trapped him by getting pregnant with me. But she was just as trapped as he was.
Charles King: Wow. How did that make you feel?
Dana Canedy: Now, see, you are all up in my business. Trying to get me all open.
Charles King: Well, sounds a little too late for that.
Dana Canedy: What did you say?
Charles King: You heard me. No, I’m just playing.
Dana Canedy: [over phone] So, what do you do? When you’re not turning young men into soldiers.
Charles King: Well, if I’m not drawing, or painting, probably in the gym.
Dana Canedy: Okay. I like the gym too. For the massages, and the little smoothies at the juice bar.
Charles King: Are you telling me you go to the gym and you don’t work out?
Dana Canedy: Well, I’m not exactly the workout type. But I stay active. It’s a walking city.
Charles King: Well, the massages, or juices, smoothies, all that, whatever it is you’re doing, it’s working. I think you are beautiful.
Dana Canedy: [referring to Charles] He is not exactly my type.
Robin: Look, you said he was nice, right? And he’s cute too?
Dana Canedy: God, yes.
Robin: So what’s your problem?
Miriam: Are you too good for him?
Ciro: You little bougie b**ch.
Dana Canedy: I barely know him. We’ve only talked on the phone.
Miriam: Well, if you decide to let him visit, just don’t shave your legs.
Dana Canedy: What?
Miriam: I know you. There is no way you would ever sleep with a guy, at least not the first time, without exfoliating, moisturizing, and shaving.
Dana Canedy: God, it’s true.
'Surround yourself with people that love you for you, and love them back. Because love is the one thing in this world that's worth fighting for.' - Charles King (A Journal for Jordan) Click To Tweet
Charles King: Guess what.
Dana Canedy: Huh?
Charles King: Guess.
Dana Canedy: What?
Charles King: Chicken butt.
Dana Canedy: You are so corny. Get off the phone!
Dana Canedy: So I know you just got here, but we should probably talk about sleeping arrangements. I have a sofa bed. It’s pretty comfortable.
Charles King: That’s fine. I have no problem sleeping on the couch. Why you look nervous? What did you think I was going to say?
Dana Canedy: I don’t look nervous. I just didn’t want to set up any unrealistic expectations.
Charles King: Well, I expect to have a good time. I’m not worried. I’ll be with you.
Dana Canedy: I really am glad you’re here. I just want you to enjoy your weekend, and have a good..
Dana Canedy: [as Charles kisses her] You taste like oregano.
Dana Canedy: That’s an off-Broadway theater.
Charles King: Oh, so we’re near Broadway.
Dana Canedy: No. See, there’s off-Broadway, and there’s off-off-Broadway.
Charles King: Okay, so is there anything actually on Broadway?
Dana Canedy: Yes, but it’s not about the street. It’s all about the size of the house.
Dana Canedy: The world needs more gentlemen.
Charles King: [as he kisses her] That’s an off-off-Broadway kiss.
Charles King: [kisses her again] That’s an off-Broadway kiss. And this is…
Dana Canedy: [as he kisses her again] Broadway. And the Tony Award for best kiss goes to…
Charles King: No, hold on a second. Who the hell is Tony?
Trailer: