Mr. Jones (1993)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Mike Figgis

Writers (WGA):

Eric Roth (story)
Eric Roth (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

8 October 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Everything That Makes Him Dangerous Makes Her Love Him More

Plot:

The story about the relationship between a manic depressive man, Mr Jones, and the female doctor who...

Plot Keywords:

Bipolar Disorder | Orchestra | Psychiatrist Patient Relationship | Piano | Manic Depression

Cast

Richard Gere	...	Mr. Jones
Lena Olin	...	Dr. Elizabeth 'Libbie' Bowen
Anne Bancroft	...	Dr. Catherine Holland
Tom Irwin	...	Dr. Patrick Shaye
Delroy Lindo	...	Howard
Bruce Altman	...	David
Lauren Tom	...	Amanda Chang
Lisa Malkiewicz	...	Susan
Thomas Kopache	...	Mr. Wilson
Peter Jurasik	...	Dr. Rosen
León Singer	...	Hot Dog Vendor
Anna Maria Horsford	...	Judge Harris
Edward Padilla	...	Bellboy
Baha Jackson	...	Devon, Howard's Son
Epatha Harris	...	Peyton, Howard's Daughter

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Australia:M | Argentina:16 | Canada:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-14 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Rastar Productions

Trivia:

To prepare for the film, Richard Gere, Mike Figgis and Eric Roth did a tremendous amount of research and studying on manic depression (now called bipolar disorder). Gere met with several people who have the disorder to gain insight and knowledge on what to accurately portray.

Quotes:

Mr. Jones: I'd like to close my account, please.
Susan: You just opened this account last week.
Mr. Jones: Yeah, I'm a fickle kind of guy.
Susan: Oh, my goodness.
Susan: Okay, you have $12,752 in your account. Do you want that in hundreds?
Mr. Jones: I'll leave that up to your impeccable judgement.

Movie Connections:

References "The Addams Family" (1964)

Don't be fooled by comedy early; still high quality

Based on the first few minutes, I was expecting a comedy about a happy-go-lucky construction worker who displays unconventional behavior. Even after his first trip to a mental hospital, I figured this would be a romantic comedy about a fun guy and the pretty female psychiatrist who wants to prove he's wacko.

Actually, she is right about him. He is manic-depressive. The man who only refers to himself as "Mr. Jones" doesn't believe he is manic-depressive because he would have to get depressed. We haven't seen it and surely it's not true, right? Wrong. This is a very troubled man. He will need a lot of care, and we must be prepared to go through some hard times with him.

Richard Gere did a very good job. Naturally, I liked him best when he was fun. His character seems "normal" because this is a movie, but that soon changes. Gere effectively shows a wide range of personality styles, though this is nothing groundbreaking.

Delroy Lindo is a standout performer as Howard, the co-worker who apparently saves Mr. Jones' life. Although they work together less than a full day (I assume), they become close friends. Some of my favorite scenes have Gere and Lindo together.

Baha Jackson does a good job as Howard's son.

Lauren Tom briefly appears as a bubbly, fast-talking, excited patient. Too bubbly. She's going to have to crash--and she does.

Whether you like this movie or not depends on whether you want comedy or drama. I found enough scenes enjoyable.