A Journal for Jordan

***A Journal for Jordan*** is a 2021 American drama film directed and co-produced by Denzel Washington from a screenplay written by Virgil Williams, based on the memoir *A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Love and Honor* by Dana Canedy. The film stars Michael B. Jordan (who also co-produced the film) and Chanté Adams in the lead roles, along with Jalon Christian, Robert Wisdom, and Tamara Tunie in supporting roles.

The film was released in the United States on December 25, 2021, by Sony Pictures Releasing under the Columbia Pictures label. It received mixed reviews from critics.

## Storyline

### Plot

Based on the true story of First Sergeant Charles Monroe King, a soldier deployed to Iraq who begins to keep a journal of love and advice for his infant son. Back at home, senior New York Times editor Dana Canedy revisits the story of her unlikely, life-altering relationship with King and his enduring devotion to her and their child. A sweeping account of a once-in-a-lifetime love, the film is a powerful reminder of the importance of family.

### Motion Picture Rating

* **PG** (Canada)
* **12A** (Ireland) (theatrical rating)
* **12** (Poland)
* **12A** (UK) (theatrical rating)
* **PG-13** (USA)

## Cast and Crew

### Writing Credits

* Virgil Williams (screenplay by)
* Charles Monroe King (based on the personal journal by)
* Dana Canedy (based on the book by)

### Cast

* Michael B. Jordan - Charles King
* Chanté Adams - Dana Canedy
* Jalon Christian - Jordan
* Robert Wisdom - Sgt. T.J. Canedy / Dad
* Tamara Tunie - Penny Canedy / Mom
* Jasmine Batchelor - Gwen Canedy / Sister
* Marchánt Davis - Mike Canedy / Brother
* Susan Pourfar - Miriam
* Vanessa Aspillaga - Robin / Friend
* Grey Henson - Ciro / Friend
* Johnny M. Wu - Manny / Doorman
* David Wilson Barnes - Schaefer
* Spencer Squire - Rosenblum
* Melanie Nicholls-King - Kaleshia / Nanny
* Annabel O'Hagan - Waitress / Kentucky Diner
* Ricky Tinelli - Waiter / Italian Restaurant
* Samuel Caleb Walker - Imhoff / Soldier
* Cleveland Berto - Mohammed / Soldier
* Clark Jackson - Dana's Doctor
* Judy Rosenblatt - Talkative Neighbor
* Mark A. Jones - Lt. Colonel

### Other Cast (in alphabetical order)

* Vivian Adams - Janitor (uncredited)
* Joey Brooks - Aaron Sandberg (uncredited)
* Marisol Correa - DC Tourist (uncredited)
* Bob Leszczak - Diner Patron (uncredited)
* Doris McCarthy - Airline Passenger (uncredited)
* John-Deric Mitchell - Waiter (uncredited)
* Melvin T. Russell - Tourist (uncredited)
* Sean W. Ryal - Tourist (uncredited)
* Stephen Sherman - Times Journalist (uncredited)
* Nate Luis Silva - Columnist (uncredited)
* Vincent Tumeo - Party Guest (uncredited)
* Julian Vidaurrazaga - Iraq Kid (uncredited)
* Ingalls Grant Wilder - 1998 Bar Patron (uncredited)
* Lauren Yaffe - Parkgoer (uncredited)

### Producers

* Molly Allen (executive producer)
* Todd Black (producer) (p.g.a.)
* David J. Bloomfield (executive producer) (as David Bloomfield)
* Jason Blumenthal (producer)
* Jason Cloth (executive producer)
* Chris Cole (co-executive producer)
* Aaron L. Gilbert (executive producer)
* Michael B. Jordan (producer)
* Richard McConnell (executive producer)
* Donald Sparks (co-producer)
* Steve Tisch (producer)
* Denzel Washington (producer) (p.g.a.)

## Details

### Release Dates

* December 9, 2021 (USA) (AMC Lincoln Square Theatre) (premiere)
* December 22, 2021 (Poland)
* December 25, 2021 (Canada)
* December 25, 2021 (Indonesia)
* December 25, 2021 (Mexico)
* December 25, 2021 (USA)
* January 11, 2022 (USA) (internet)
* January 21, 2022 (UK)
* January 21, 2022 (Ireland)

### Trailer Release Dates

* Teaser Trailer - August 11, 2021
* Final Trailer - November 3, 2021

### Home Media Release Dates

* March 8, 2022 (USA) (DVD)
* March 8, 2022 (USA) (Blu-Ray)

### Also Known As

* A Journal for Jordan (original title)
* A Journal for Jordan (Canada) (English title)
* Un journal pour Jordan (Canada) (French title)
* A Journal for Jordan (Germany)
* A Journal for Jordan (India)
* A Journal for Jordan (Indonesia)
* A Journal for Jordan (Ireland)
* A Journal for Jordan (Philippines)
* A Journal for Jordan (Poland)
* Дневник для Джордана (Russia)
* A Journal for Jordan (Singapore)
* A Journal for Jordan (South Korea)
* A Journal for Jordan (Turkey)
* A Journal for Jordan (United Arab Emirates)
* A Journal for Jordan (UK)
* A Journal for Jordan (USA)
* Hồi Ký Của Cha (Vietnam)

## Production

In January 2018, it was reported that Denzel Washington would direct the film *A Journal for Jordan* from a script by Virgil Williams based on Dana Canedy's memoir. In February 2019, it was reported that Michael B. Jordan would play the lead role. In October 2020, Chanté Adams was cast in the film. As of December 2020, production on the film had begun. In February 2021, Robert Wisdom, Johnny M. Wu, and Jalon Christian joined the cast. In March 2021, Tamara Tunie joined the cast.

## Release

*A Journal for Jordan* was originally scheduled by Sony Pictures Releasing for a limited theatrical release on December 10, 2021, before going wide on December 22. In October 2021, the film was pushed to a wide theatrical release on December 25, on Christmas Day, without a limited release. The film had its world premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square Theatre on December 9, 2021. The film was released on video-on-demand on January 11, 2022.

## Reception

### Box office

As of February 3, 2022, *A Journal for Jordan* has grossed a worldwide total of $6,584,518 against a production budget of $25 million.

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside *American Underdog* and the wide release of *Licorice Pizza*, and was projected to gross around $5 million from 2,500 theaters over its first two days of release. It made $1.2 million on its first day and $1 million on its second, debuting to $2.2 million and finishing eighth at the box office. In its second weekend, the film finished ninth with $1.2 million. The film dropped out of the box office top ten in its third weekend, finishing twelfth with $600,880.

### Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 42% based on 55 reviews, with an average rating of 5.3/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "*A Journal for Jordan*'s affecting fact-based story stumbles onscreen thanks to Denzel Washington's undistinguished direction and overly sentimental approach." On IMDb, the film has a rating of 5.8/10. On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 42 out of 100 based on 19 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale.

## Company Credits

### Production Companies

* Columbia Pictures
* BRON Studios
* Creative Wealth Media Finance
* Escape Artists
* Mundy Lane Entertainment
* Outlier Society

### Distributors

* Columbia Pictures (2021) (USA) (all media)
* Columbia Pictures (2021) (Canada) (theatrical)
* Sony Pictures Releasing (2022) (UK) (theatrical)
* Sony Pictures Releasing (2022) (Ireland) (theatrical)
* Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2022) (USA) (DVD)
* Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2022) (USA) (Blu-Ray)

## Trivia

* As part of his project (and to pay respects to the men and women of the Armed Forces), Denzel Washington visited Fort Irwin, CA in September 2020 to do a Meet and Greet with soldiers and families.
* This is Annabel O'Hagan's film debut.
* This is the first time that Denzel Washington has directed a film without actually starring in it.
* There was filming done in Washington, DC, however, it does not show up at all under the film's locations in credits.
* Jalon Christian first directors session ever was with Denzel Washington. He received his first NAACP nomination for his role as Jordan.