"This is your one and only life. What are you going to tell people?"
The Incredible Jessica James is a 2017 Romantic Comedy directed by James C. Strouse for Netflix.
It stars Jessica Williams as Jessica James, a freespirited New York City-based playwright trying to recover from her recent breakup with Damon (Lakeith Stanfield). Her best friend Tasha (Noël Wells) sets her up with recent divorcee Boone (Chris O'Dowd), with whom she strikes up a burgeoning relationship.
Following a premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the movie was released on Netflix on July 28, 2017.
Tropes:
- As Himself: Tony-winning playwright Sarah Jones appears at the writer's workshop to mentor the students.
- Brutal Honesty: Jessica has a tendency to say whatever's on her mind, regardless if it's appropriate or not. She is introduced bluntly telling her Tinder date that she's got no interest in small talk and just wants to use him to get over her ex-boyfriend.
- The City vs. the Country: Jessica makes a meager living in New York City trying to pursue her theatrical dreams. She visits the Ohio town where she grew up and remembers that she feels out of place among her family members, even if they have romantic notions of their big-city daughter.
- Daydream Surprise: We get some scenes involving Damon from the POV of his imaginative ex Jessica before it becomes clear it's not real:
- Jessica imagines Damon standing on the ledge outside her window trying to confess something to her before he falls. Cut back to her at her laptop.
- Jessica dreams Damon trying to explain their breakup before a piano falls on him. Turns out it was a nightmare.
- Jessica imagines Damon telling her he's still in love with her before it's revealed she's in Boone's bed..
- Imagine Spot: Damon asks Jessica to imagine an awards show, and the scene cuts to a fantasy of the two of them in fancy dress in the audience as Jessica is announced the winner.
- Life Isn't Fair: One of Jessica's students, Shandra, tells her that she's thinking of going to Six Flags instead of the writer's weekend. Jessica gets mad and tells her that she doesn't care what Shandra does. Shandra says that isn't fair, to which Jessica snaps that life isn't fair.
- Modesty Bedsheet: During Boone and Jessica's second time having sex, both are covered by his duvet.
- Named Like My Name: Boone's ex-wife is named Mandy Moore. He has to clarify that she's not the Mandy Moore, and it's actually a fairly common name.
- Not Staying for Breakfast: After sleeping with Boone, Jessica sneaks out in the dead of night.
- On the Rebound: Both Jessica and Boone are recently out of longterm relationships and connect over this during their first date, though both are a bit reluctant to extend beyond friendship because of how messy it can get.
- Operation: Jealousy: Jessica is introduced meeting a Tinder date at a bar she knows her recent ex frequents in hopes that he will see them having a good time and get jealous.
- Split-Screen Phone Call: Boone calls Jessica. She takes up the top half of the screen; he takes up the bottom.
- Statuesque Stunner: Jessica, played by a 6'0" actress, is very proud of her height. She's taller than everyone in the film except for Boone.Jessica: Look at me. I'm tall, I'm pretty, I'm smart. I am a coco queen. Obviously, I will have many great loves in my life.
- Title Drop: Tasha says the title of the film after Jessica's play is accepted by a London theater.Tasha: Free coffee all around in honor of the incredible Jessica James...!
- Waiting for a Break: Jessica teaches kids at a theater nonprofit in Hell's Kitchen while she tries to get her playwright career off the ground.
