It pains me to admit that I've never been particularly familiar with the career of the late Clois Leachman. In fact it was only because of her passing earlier this year that I learned she was the Grandmother in Malcolm in the Middle. A cartoonish stereotype of Eastern Europeans that Leachman nonetheless grounded with surprising conviction and character.
All of which made watching her final performance in Jump, Darling profoundly bittersweet in a way that can't entirely be attributed to the film itself. The film is hardly a disaster; a prodigal return with enough nuance and charm to be perfectly enjoyable. Aspiring actor-turned-drag queen Russell flees to his grandmother's home in the country following a break up. While there he attempts to reconnect with his rapidly deteriorating relative while getting his grove back on the local drag scene.
It's a premise that the film does plenty with. As Russell, Thomas Duplessie injects the character with a suitable amount of bitterness and self-indulgence that feels true to the character. Yet, there's a charm to him and optimism which put you firmly on his side. Part of that is admittedly down to him being essentially emotionally blackmailed into playing caregiver to Leachman's Margaret, an endearingly dotty old woman whose faculties are a constant question mark. However Russell's appeal lies in his genuine adoration of aesthetics and theatricality. He has fun performing as a drag queen and we have fun watching him.
The only problem is that there are too few areas in which Russell and Margaret's stories converge. Russell being the only connecting element between the two. It leaves Leachman appearing a little short-changed. Cornered into a well-worn story of a stubborn old woman refusing to be put into a home. The two have such a pleasant, understated chemistry together that it feels like a wild swing and a miss to separate them.
That said, Russell attempt to forge a new path for himself within the confines of his Grandmother's rural community manage to be novel and relatable. The shame at returning home after leaving to pursue dreams of stardom is palpable in his every interaction with old friends. His attempts to start fresh have an endearing, if plodding quality to them. As though his settling into Margaret's attic or starting a tentative romance with local bartender Justin (Andrew Bushell) is simply going through the expected story beats. Piling on the bittersweet sentiment that, however positive Russell's choices are, they are only temporary.
Duplessie's greatest achievement in the role has to be the authentic energy he pours into Russell's love of the drag scene. From the straight-faced conviction behind his stage personal 'Fishy Falters' to his reverence for his fellow artists to the care with which he handles his costumes and make-up. Duplessie knows that such a role should never be presented as comical or ridiculous, but completely straight. As such he allows us to share in the emotional investment Russell has for this new path he wants to pursue.
Not without its faults Jump, Darling is an immensely pleasant and charming two-hander between Duplessie and Leachman. A unique twist on a well-worn story with an earnest enough approach that the big emotional moments hit their mark.
