Jake Johnsonis one of the rare sitcom stars who successfully made the shift from television to feature film. Following his acclaimed run as Nick Miller on the hit Fox sitcomNew Girl, Johnson’s talents were earmarked, leading him to giveseveral great film performances. As fun as it was to see him pop up for scene-stealing supporting roles in Hollywood blockbusters likeJurassic WorldandSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Johnson proved himself to be a much more accomplished actor than one may have expected through his more profound work in several independent features.Johnson’s talents extend beyond acting, as he is also an accomplished screenwriter, having written the best role of his career thus far in the 2017 dramedyWin it All.
Win It All
A small-time gambler agrees to stash a bag for an acquaintance who is heading to prison. When he discovers cash in the bag, he can’t resist the urge to dip into the funds.
What Is ‘Win It All’ About?
Directed byJoe Swanberg,Win it Allisa gambling dramedy that gives Johnson the rare opportunity to plan a reluctant hero. Johnson stars as Eddie Garrett, a lonely parking attendant for Wrigley Field who has managed to erode his relationships because of his gambling addiction. While Eddie’s aptitude for losing anything he earns is generally more embarrassing than it is dangerous, his luck changes when he’s asked to take care of a duffle bag filled with cash for the local thug, Michael (Jose A. Garcia). When a drunk Eddie makes the mistake of spending Michael’s cash in a local card game, he realizes he’s gone too far, and that his life may be in danger. Despite Johnson’s association with comedy films,Win it Alltakes itsfocus on the addictive nature of gamblingquite seriously.
As a screenwriter, Johnson crafts the perfect redemptive character arcfor Eddie, as he has to rebuild his life and completely reassess his priorities. While there is some snarky humor that feels in line withhis acclaimed work onNew Girl, Johnson explores how difficult it is for someone like Eddie to make such a dramatic change in their behavior. Gambling has always been second nature for him, as he desires the boost of energy that “risking it all” gives him. Eddie’s realization that his lifestyle is never going to be sustainable only becomes evident when he discovers what he’s been missing as a result of his risky behavior. Johnson is able to reach these truths in a funny, poignant way that never feels like he’s hitting the audience over the head.
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Johnson’s film is an often charming take on reality TV, but it’s the dynamic between Johnson and Anna Kendrick that steals the show.
While he is inherently charismatic,Johnson showed he was unafraid to tackle a slightly unlikable character. It was important to show that Eddie’s lack of self-control had its negative ramifications, as to treat him as simply another amusing comedy character risked lionizing his behavior. Johnson does a great job at writing scenarios in which Eddie is forced to be vulnerable; his romantic relationship with the local nurse Eva (Aislinn Derbez) inspires him to make positive changes to become the man she would want to spend the rest of her life with. This emotional authenticity, peppered with Johnson’s unique comedic mannerisms, makesWin it Allone of the moreunderrated Netflix comedies of recent years.
‘Win It All’ Embodies the Mumblecore Movement
Win it Allwas an integral film within the “mumblecore” movement, a subgenre of American independent cinema that emphasizes improvisational dialogue, realistic plotlines, and low budgets. While the mumblecore movement birthedgreat filmmakers likeGreta Gerwig, MarkandJay Duplass,Lynn Shelton, and Swanberg, it’s been criticized for the “sameness” that permeates many of the films that fall under its parameters. However,Win it Allavoids the flaws within the mumblecore genre thanks to its narrative momentum. The inciting incident of Eddie losing the duffle bag gives the rest of the story a sense of overriding tension, as he is only given a limited amount of time to win back the money.
Jake Johnson Has Written Other Great Films
WhileWin it Allmay be his crowning achievement as both an actor and storyteller,Johnson has written several great independent dramedies that feature the same irreverent tone. Prior toWin it All, Johnson and Swanberg collaborated on the existentialist mumblecore comedyDigging For Fire. WhileDigging For Firewas more focused on its ensemble cast, includingan underrated performance fromSam Rockwell, it allowed Johnson to play a flawed husband who becomes hyper-fixated on giving his life a sense of meaning. Similar toWin it All,Digging For Fireexplored its characters’ self-contemplation in a relatable way, with humor that was reminiscent of real life.
Although a majority of the films that he has written fall under the “comedy” banner,Johnson has shown a willingness to tackle more dramatic material as a screenwriter.He wrote and starred inthe 2021 filmRide the Eagleas Leif, an immature man who takes an impromptu road trip after learning that his mother, Honey (Susan Sarandon), has died of cancer. WhileRide the Eaglefeatures some strange scenarios reminiscent of Johnson’s earlier work, it treats the grieving process with respect. Now thatJohnson has become a director with his debut filmSelf Reliance, it will be fascinating to see how he continues to mature as an artist. While he’s certainly still a talented actor, screenwriting may be what he is best remembered for.
Win It Allis now streaming on Netflix in the U.S.
Watch on Netflix
