‘Blue Jay’: A Hidden Gem in Every Sense of the Word

Fortune favors those who venture into the depths of Netflix, for there they may find the hidden gem of a film that is “Blue Jay.”

“Blue Jay” is an unassuming piece of work, standing at a modest 80-minute run time with a movie poster that leaves much to be desired. Released in 2016 from director Alex Lehmann, this indie film is based on a screenplay by Mark Duplass, who also stars in the movie. The plot follows the serendipitous reunion of Jim Henderson and Amanda (Sarah Paulson) at a local grocery story in the hometown they have both since moved away from.

Not much more description can be divulged without spoiling the viewing experience. What can confidently be said, however, is that “Blue Jay” is a tremendously intimate and raw portrayal of the human experience — a thoughtful piece of art that proves less really can be more.

In such a short piece, every second matters. From the onset, “Blue Jay” is deliberate in setting its tone. Shot entirely in black and white, the film uses long, contemplative still shots set to a score of understated piano to achieve a melancholy and reflective effect. In a film whose premise so heavily relies on place, the cinematography and score quickly immerse the viewer. In the quiet mundanity of Amanda and Jim’s hometown.

The real star of the project, however, is its writing. In large part, the story is shrouded in vagueness. Its viewer has virtually no information about the history that binds the two protagonists together — yet even from their first interaction in the aisle of the grocery store, Amanda and Jim’s dynamic is entrancing. The awkwardness is palpable throughout — a phenomenon driven largely by the expertly crafted dialogue — as the two discover how time has and hasn’t changed each other. The viewer’s secondhand embarrassment is inevitable, but it is ultimately a testament to the script’s ability to portray this distinctly human experience with painful accuracy.

Of course, praise for the writing necessitates a nod to the actors who brought it to life. Sarah Paulson and Mark Duplass are truly spectacular, capturing subtleties that make Amanda and Jim feel whole and real. In fact, Paulson’s performance in “Blue Jay” could be viewed as one of the most imposing in an already extensive filmography. Together with Duplass, the two expertly convey the wealth of feelings their characters experience, from whimsicality to nostalgia to anger. The chemistry between them is unparalleled: Even in the film’s plentiful moments of silence, the atmosphere is laden with history and things left unsaid.

Perhaps most impressively of all, “Blue Jay” was filmed over the course of only seven days and features only three actors — the third being the liquor store clerk, Wainey (Clu Gulager). Still, it achieves a lot with a little. The film maintains an air of levity amidst nuanced discussions of the passage of time, regret, and the importance of closure. And though the plot is not teeming with action, there is not a moment of boredom. “Blue Jay” is truly a dark horse in the landscape of Netflix’s offerings, waiting to take its viewer on a masterfully crafted emotional journey — so long as they give it a chance.

—Staff writer Julia J. Hynek can be reached at julia.hynek@thecrimson.com.