The pre-reception hall of The Whitby Hotel buzzed with excitement Friday, December 10th as the press gathered to be among the few to preview Sony Picture’s advanced screening of their highly-anticipated new film, “A Journal for Jordan”.
Starring Hollywood’s rising talents, Michael B. Jordan as 1st Sgt. Charles M. King and Chanté Adams as Dana Canedy, and directed by the astounding Denzel Washington, this film portrays the hauntingly beautiful accounts of Dana Canedy’s memoir “A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Love and Honor”.
Renowned television correspondent, Bevy Smith, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dana Canedy hosted the preview, which follows the real-life story of 1st Sergeant Charles Monroe King. Throughout this film, King writes letters of advice to his then newborn son, Jordan, in the event he does not make it home while deployed in Iraq.
Those hearing of King’s story for the first time can expect to become captivated by the opening scene of the trailer alone. “Tell him who you are and what you believe in,” Dana says to Charles before handing him a journal. Charles takes the journal and asks what else he should write. “Tell him you love him”, Dana says.
And just like that – the audience is hooked and taken along a powerful whirlwind romance between Dana and Charles. While this is a love story, it is certainly not like one seen before.
We are taken through the beautiful vivid stages of a budding romance between a successful New York Times journalist flourishing in her career and 1st Sargent in who is at the top of his league with a presence of valor. It is difficult not to fall in love with the two and their story as it unfolds, even amidst its lead-up to King’s final days.
Incredibly, a story like this came just months after the untimely passing of King. Canedy first shared her heartfelt story with the New York Times in 2007, before deciding to take it to the screen.
When searching for a director for her film, Canedy looked no further after meeting Washington. Canedy recalls taking her son Jordan to meet Denzel for the first time and noted his kindness.
“I’ll never forget [Washington] taking out pictures of his own kids and showing them to Jordan and playing with him in between scenes,” Canedy said. “I already knew, obviously that [Washington] was the best in Hollywood,” Canedy said but stated that his “warm heart” and “want to understand us in our story” made all the difference.
Canedy also spoke of the importance of having her son Jordan, (portrayed by Jalon Christian) remain “at the center of [the story]”. This in part was done by ensuring that Jordan was present on set and that the cast fully immersed themselves in their role with thorough research.
Canedy recalled bringing a bag to set which included Charles’s actual physical journal, as well as “some of Charles’s medals, including his Purple Heart, his dog tags, and the outfit that Jordan wore to his father’s funeral,” Caneday said.
In working with Michael B Jordan, whose resemblance to the actual Charles King is striking, Candey mentioned wanting him to see Charles’s items. Jordan even wore Charles’s dog tags throughout the film, adding to an otherwise compelling performance.
Canedy also spoke of Chanté’s role, noting that both her and Jordan “brought their talent to it, but also their hearts.” With a smile, Canedy says the cast ”became very personal and incredibly close” and took great “care in their portrayals of us.”
With moving performances from Chanté, Jordan, and Christian, the storytelling of this family fractured by war is portrayed so tenderly that one almost feels like they are a part of it.
While the telling of this beautiful story can come with some pain, Canedy says it also comes with peace and the potential to guide those going through hard times.
‘[A Journal For Jordan]” allows me to have some measure of peace,” Canedy states.
“We had a tragic thing happen to us, but no one gets a charmed life. If you have more good days than bad, that is the essence of a good of a life.”
You too can get wrapped up in the love behind “A Journal For Jordan” exclusively in theaters on December 25th!
