Jasper (2011) Film Review
I strongly believe that the enjoyment of films absolutely depends on mood. Of course, there are obvious picks for which a certain mood isn’t necessary, but on the other side of the spectrum, there stand the films that you will enjoy if 1) you’re open for whatever’s coming and 2) you lower your standards.
Jasper is the kind of movie that could improve a rainy day, but its effect depends on being able to enjoy indie cinema. I’m a firm believer in going down a few levels of production budget and enjoying whatever the less experienced storytellers are willing to do. Nathan Hill is one of them, and the beginning of his quest is a movie made with passion and a scorn for the genre he’s tackling that makes it all the more admirable
Jasper follows a private detective named Jasper Clay. He’s a tired and beat experienced investigator who just wants to take a break until he finds the next case. If there’s one thing I didn’t believe is that this was actually his last case. His rowdy attitude is probably a resource, and not a result.
Because, as it turns out, Jasper has the ability to cast a spell in about every woman he meets. Sandy Greenwood plays Courtney, one of his clients who hires him to find her boy. But then they also… connect. This romantic moment doesn’t match what comes next for Jasper, but there are some questions you simply shouldn’t ask.
Hill writes, directs and stars in the film. It’s that kind of passion project in which you can see his hands in every artistic decision, casting, and even plot line. He doesn’t aim for any shade of a serious tone and the film remains in comedy territory from the beginning to end. Hill also makes sure to add the steamy element to his film, and Jasper gets away with sleeping around more than it’s necessary.
Nevertheless, this isn’t a film where cops are honest. Even criminals are not as ethically questionable as Jasper is. Think of the video game character Leisure Suit Larry in a modern crime comedy and you’ll get Jasper Clay, the man who will solve a crime, make women fall for him, and catch the villains’ attention, all in the same day.
It’s not a wonderful film, but that’s OK. It’s exactly what Hill is trying to achieve. For you to see the beauty in the unquestionably ugly. For you to enjoy what many discarded. And definitely for you to be able to celebrate the campy side of indie cinema. There’s no doubt Hill isn’t trying to make a riveting crime film. He’s playing around with a character whose story gets pretty interesting in the end, when there are some reveals that will convince you to see what’s next for Hill and his moviemaking venture.
