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Jake’s Corner (DVD) Stars: Richard Tyson, Diane Ladd, Danny Trejo, Tony Longo, B. J. Thomas, Sanel Budlimic, Ky Moni Abraham and Colton Rodgers Director/Scriptwriter: Jeff Santo Composer: Steve Dorff Grand Canyon Films Rating: PG Running Length: 97 minutes Football isn’t everything, even if you played for the Kansas City Chiefs or won a Heisman Trophy. This is what Johnny Dunn discovers in the film Jake’s Corner. There actually is a Jake’s Corner, Arizona, but the people in this movie are out of writer/director Jeff Santo’s imagination. Dunn is played by Richard Tyson, who acts the role of the bar owner so stoically, that you only know his mood by his change of clothing. Dunn rides a motorcycle, and is a sort of mayor to the individualistic members of Jake’s Corner, who live in desert surroundings and co-exist peacefully. The story has Johnny’s world turned upside-down when he receives a phone call about the death of his sister and brother-in-law in an auto accident. Young nephew, Spence (Colton Rodgers), has a concussion, but is alive, though doesn’t know his parents are dead. Johnny decides not to tell Spence, and temporarily cares for him, while Johnny's other sister is building a new house. The people at Jake’s Corner go along with this, but it is difficult. There is Clint (Danny Trejo) who is the town alcoholic and can’t come to the bar until 5 p.m. Gus (Tony Longo), who is Johnny’s long-time friend and blocker in college football, Doc (B. J. Thomas) a war veteran who was a medic, Ricki (Karla Basille) the waitress, Dado (Sanel Budlimic) the bartender, Lianus (Ky Moni Abraham) a painter and Fran (Diane Ladd), who stays in her trailer most of the time and calls the bar when she says she sees a bear. The people become fond of Spence, who heals well but keeps asking about his parents. There is humor in the film from Spence’s curious questions to a certain paint-ball group. As the film progresses, we get a bit of history about each character. Years ago, Johnny received another phone call about a death in the family, which may explain why the town has only one phone and that is on a pole by the parking lot. Dado the bartender comes from Bosnia, a war-torn country, and this explains his accent. Fran is hiding from the world because of tragedy in her family. Jake’s Corner is a place of peace for them and it is this peace that comes through in Johnny’s voice-overs in which he talks about God and tries to come to grips with what has happened in his life. What has caused mental pain to people here are what has happened to their loved ones. Some hold on to the past too long, while others can cope and go ahead. It all takes time. I found Jake’s Corner to be a character-driven film and the ensemble cast blends well. Danny Trejo as Clint, steals his scenes and the banter between Ricki and Dado is natural and unassuming. There are choices to be made in life, responsibilities to be taken, and this is laid out well in the script. Soundtrack compliments the film and the desert scenery is beautiful. I just wish Richard Tyson would have cracked a smile or two. Copyright 2010 Marie Asner
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