Introducing Jodea is a romantic comedy written by Chloe Traicos, who also portrays the titular character, and directed by Jon Cohen. It tells a familiar Hollywood fairy tale about a struggling actress who finally gets her big break. The twist of the story comes from the Pygmalion angle that the narrative uses.

Jodea Maxwell (Traicos) is a down-on-her-luck actress trying to make it in the city of Los Angeles. The Hollywood machine has spit her out more times than she cares to count and she is stuck working at a cafe. Jodea will not give up on her life-long dream of becoming a big star, so she takes a gig as a production assistant on a major studio film. For those of you unfamiliar with the Hollywood pecking order, a production assistant is considered an entry level position in the moviemaking industry. While mimicking a scene on set, she accidentally drops a tray of food which causes the lead actress Isabella, played by Yadira Pascault Orozco, to take a nasty blow to the face. This results in Isabella quitting the production. The director, Zac Kawalsky, played by Jeff Coppage, happens to be in a strained marriage with Isabella. Their marriage comes to a complete halt when Zac discovers Isabella is having an affair with the lead actor Jamie Manfrin, played by Jakob Renken. Zac, in a desperate attempt to get Isabella and Jamie off the production, makes a bet with his agent that he can turn Jodea into a star actress in one week and have her replace Isabella. If he succeeds, his agent Grant, played by Kent Hatch, will convince Zac’s original choice for lead actor to star in his film. There is just one problem: Jodea, who can’t act to save her own life. 

The movie follows Zac and Jodea as they spend almost every waking moment over the next week together trying to improve her acting. As happens in rom-coms, over the course of that week Jodea and Zac form a strong connection - one that reshapes how each sees their career and life. 

Fans of the romantic-comedy formula will find this pleasantly familiar territory. This movie also fits into a sort of unofficial sub-genre of movies that skewer the world of Hollywood. There are plenty of jabs taken at the superficial side of the entertainment industry. This is the main message of the film.  It asks people to go deeper and turn away from superficialities. This is certainly a worthwhile message. The problem is that this film doesn’t feel all that deep itself.  The characters are likable, and Chloe presents a very relatable struggling actress, but their arcs just don’t have any real weight to them.  The story has some tender scenes about trust and getting in touch with your emotions, but they feel tacked on rather than organic.  The setting of L.A. is portrayed very realistically, but the viewer doesn’t really get pulled into the world. It’s not a bad story but it is one we have seen before and therefore needs some original or penetrating hooks to pull you into its rather poignant messages. It’s good enough for some amusement but never really becomes the thought-provoking conversation starter it wants to be. 

Of course if you are someone trying to break into the movie business on either side of the camera, this flick may prove encouraging to you. It does certainly have a message of following one’s dreams and doing what feels right that can inspire.  The struggles and adversity of the entertainment industry are on full display and it’s always nice to see someone overcome them. The film even uses the art of moviemaking as an overlay for romantic relationships. Jodea and Zac’s romance is largely played out in the way they relate to telling stories, which is a nice touch. Outsiders to the industry though will most likely find this particular story a bit forgettable.

RORSHACH RATING:

Mental Health Moment: The protagonist in Introducing Jodea wants to achieve her dream of being a star actress more than anything. As the film unfolds, it becomes clear to her that the only way she will do that is to get in touch with her true emotions. This is something I can definitely relate to as a writer. My own stories are better the more I delve into my deeply rooted feelings. That being said, I still find difficulty doing it. In a world with so much thrown at you on a daily basis, it often seems easier to keep things close to the vest and just put out to others an acceptable and pleasing facade. Emotions can be confusing and scary and the world already seems to have enough of that so you feel compelled to not add more. But the only way you, and the world for that matter, are going to heal is to reveal your true feelings. This is done by getting to truly know those feelings and spend time with them. Once you make your emotions your friends, no matter how unpleasant they may be, it becomes easier to navigate your relationship with them and to introduce them to others. There are people out there who want to get to know those emotions. If you don’t know of any in your own life then please go to the resource section on the Victims and Villains website to find someone you can bring into your life.

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!

Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. We do not own nor claim any rights.

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