Jules is a sweetheart of a film due to the nexus of solid writing(Gavin Steckler in what looks to be his first foray into feature length film), Oscar nominated director (Marc Turtletaub of Little Miss Sunshine) and an outstanding trio of actors (Curtain, Kingsley & Hariss).
First a word about Sir Ben Kingsley, I’d be enthralled and invested had he even played the non-speaking role of Jules (handled gracefully by stunt double Jade Quon). He is perhaps the best elder actor of our modern world.
Jane Curtain I’ve adored since her bravado in SNL’s Weekend Update, always holding her own against Dan Ackroyd.
And I literally just got goosebumps when I looked up where I knew Harriet Sansom Harris from: she chewed the furniture and stole the scene as smoking agent in Licorice Pizza.
Due to Jules inability to communicate, the 3 older characters use her/him as a blank tablet on which to project their anxieties about aging and family troubles. The result is a poignant film worth viewing.
The trailer was deceptive and made me think it was a cheesey ET rip off, but noooo, this is an adult film with deep messages.