Looking for the Jackalope (2016) User Reviews

Great movie

[kimmalford · 7/10 · 4 February 2021]

I loved the movie. It was clever and funny! I like the choice of Actors. Relatable to the viewer!

very fake reviews

[corytrevorson · 2/10 · 19 December 2019]

Overly long, and one of the most boring movies I've seen. It comes across like it wants to be funny, but it's never accomplished. Not even worth watching if it's free. The Jackalope (Stephen Root) part is virtually non-existent.

Laugh Out Loud Grown-Up Comedy

[dovejones-21378 · 10/10 · 23 January 2018]

I just finished watching Looking for the Jackalope, and it's freaking GREAT!

I LOVED this film, it was really fun, and then quite profound in the end. It's so funny, I was laughing out loud. At first the character Jordan (Michael Leydon Campbell) is SO cringeworthy, such a loser that your thinking, "come on, man, really?"

Then it builds to such a raucous, hilarious and noble ending. Really well directed, really well cast and superbly acted - I was looking at all the little nuances of body language.

Larry Clarke as Doctor Jim is bloody great, and the subtlety of Meissa Hampton's performance as Jennifer is inspired.

Mary Testa as the no-nonsense, down-to-earth agent is also excellent.

The only difference between this and a big hit comedy is STARS. If this was Will Farrell or Ben Stiller and John Goodman (or Josh whoever) it would be a studio picture.

It's every bit as funny as Albert Brooks' Lost in America - and that's funny - so if you liked that, you'll love this.

I don't know much about filmmaking, but I know when I enjoy a good film, and I would recommend Looking for the Jackalope to anyone who enjoys intelligent, grown-up comedies.

A wacky road movie on the way to one's self

[philipahooker · 9/10 · 1 September 2020]

Some years ago, I was asked to participate as a judge in a film festival and since then I've had a partiality to small, independent films. Karl Shefelman's "Looking for the Jackalope" is such a film, an engaging cautionary tale about a man returning to his 20-year college reunion in pursuit of romance. As the main character, a writer, takes a crazy, hilarious road trip across several states to reach his reunion, his dreams of an old romance become a beacon guiding him to his destination. He has a friend, Dr. Jim, (a great performance by Larry Clarke) who offers assistance and advice along the way. When he finally reaches the college, the reunion is spectacularly normal with a great nod to the generational variety of classes that attends these events.

This is not really a happy ending movie, but more of a resolve of the character's ambition with a Jackalope mentoring him along the way.

An interesting aside: Shefelman lists all the extras in the credits at the end of the movie. The recognition of everyone in involved in the endeavor of making this movie appealed to me.

The Jackalope Speaks

[gmgannaway · 8/10 · 26 February 2018]

I recently watched Looking for the Jackalope, written and directed by Karl Shefelman, on Amazon Prime (free). The film follows our hero, the hapless Jordan Sterling, divorced author of the novel Looking for the Jackalope as he struggles with general malaise and some serious writer's block. The man's tank is empty.

Then an invitation to his 20-year college reunion arrives, and he also gets a call from an old girlfriend. Urged on by a college roommate and his agent, he decides to attend. As he makes his way to the event, we see several flashbacks to idyllic scenes of the young couple 20 years earlier, carefree and hitchhiking to New York. Of course, with each flashback, we see Jordan's growing need to believe that the fire from the 20-year-old romance can be rekindled.

Jackalope is not a typical rom-com, nor a buddy movie, though it has elements of both. It's more a movie about finding oneself. All of the acting is spot on, and Shefelman nails the mood of the reunion. The film has a neat reversal, the good kind, the kind that makes you say to yourself, "Of course,. Why didn't I think of that?" Later there is a line that is like the final piece of a puzzle. In an instant, it all comes together, and you see what Shefelman was up to all along. What a great trip!

You Can't Always Get What You Want...

[wideflix-42747 · 9/10 · 30 June 2020]

A man's journey back to where he came from. Really heartfelt and well done. I LOVED it! It was so good on so many levels, The writing and direction was impeccable. The actors were stellar.

Comedy and drama, well-written, excellent cinematography, and superb acting.

[jimborussell · 9/10 · 18 December 2020]

Well developed characters that draw you into their lives. Definitely recommend. Laugh out loud and unconventional is the best possible way. Comedy and drama, well-written, excellent cinematography, and superb acting. Put this gem on your watch list!

Delightful

[marthawjohnson · 9/10 · 9 April 2020]

Excellent twists that I'm still thinking about long after seeing this film. Beautiful scenery and a fun tale of finding oneself in the journey from past to present.

A terrific indie film

[craigahrens · 9/10 · 5 June 2019]

This is such a terrific film! The acting was on point, I enjoyed the story, I liked the look & the feel and bravo to the director. This film had it all going for me. It's a comedy but there are some dark moments too that work in really well. This film is rated well by a lot of people for a good reason... it's good.

A fun nostalgic journey

[rbrintlinger · 9/10 · 8 April 2020]

I saw this film at the Premiere and it was a fun, imaginative journey into the past. Reminded me of Liberal Arts, the movie by Josh Radner. It drags a bit in the middle but the characters are engaging and the cinematography is beautiful!

a trip down memory lane

[kjmmillard · 8/10 · 14 April 2020]

I watched this movie on amazon prime and absolutely loved it. it brought back so many memories, both of my college days and my 40th college reunion. it is warm, sometimes cringeworthy, and just a fun film to watch.

do see it for yourself.

Great movie!

[KidScottRocks · 9/10 · 14 February 2019]

It starts off a little slow, but it's only because you're getting to know the characters. Stick with it because it continues to build and get better and better exponentially. Very entertaining, at times funny, thoughtful, and a great, meaningful ending! Well done!

I've got to say this film was authentic in every fashion

[gilbert7773-258-300858 · 10/10 · 22 January 2019]

At first I figured this was going to be another film that bored me however... I was held to the screen the whole time, I liked and enjoyed this film I hope the maker makes a other soon I recommend to anyone to watch this film, or anyone of age, it does have some brief nudity but very little. I simply recommend this film. -Timothy Gilbert

Very off base relatable entertainment

[jthoustinc · 8/10 · 12 August 2021]

From the start the lead character is relatable. The night's experience of getting to the class reunion, reminds me of times where my evening truly went off the rails, so it became very relatable. The female lead lacked something for me, I didn't feel any form of connection to him. Yes, you'll say it's because of what manifests in the story, but she wouldn't be as frigid. Just felt her acting suffered compared to his oddness. Overall a great laugh.