Hollywood showcases some of the most brilliant directors whose distinct styles and visions have revolutionized the world of cinema. Although Jake Paltrow does not rank among the best just yet, in recent years, he has made a name for himself, both as a respectable director, writer, and once, even as an actor.
Jake Paltrow comes from a family of artists. His father, the late Bruce Paltrow, directed and wrote several renowned TV shows and movies. His mother, Blythe Danner, has won several accolades as an actress. And his elder sister, Gwyneth Paltrow is not only an Academy Award winner but also a successful businesswoman. So, it comes as no surprise that Jake Paltrow, too, has been consistently rising up in the ranks as a director and has helmed some immensely ambitious projects over the years.
The Good Night (5.8)
Written and helmed by Jake Paltrow, The Good Night is a fantasy comedy with a star-studded cast including Gwenyth Paltrow, Martin Freeman, Penelope Cruz, Danny DeVito, and Simon Pegg.
The film's plot revolves around a former musician named Gary, who dreams of having a perfect life. When his marriage with Dora goes downhill, he starts dreaming about a beautiful woman named Anna. His unexplained infatuation does eventually lead him to the woman of his dreams, but he is left disappointed when she isn't as perfect as he thought she'd be. This leaves him with two options: dream his life away or get his wife back.
Young Ones (5.9)
Young Ones unfolds in a familiar post-apocalyptic setting where water is a dwindling resource. As a result, everything in the world — from politics to the familial ties of individuals — is affected by its availability.
With a dystopian western in its backdrop, the film walks the viewer through three chapters that draw parallels between Greek tragedy and the dilemmas of a family struggling to survive in a wretched world. Although critically, the film is divided by a mixed bag of reviews, several critics have appreciated it for its aesthetic dystopian setup and intriguing sci-fi concepts.
Greenberg (6.1)
Greenberg not only marks Jake Paltrow's acting debut, but it is also the only film he has acted in, so far. Directed by Noah Baumbach, Greenberg revolves around Roger (Ben Stiller), a man who's struggling to figure out his life after moving back to Los Angeles from New York.
While he's at it, he stays at his brother's house and forms a bond with his brother's assistant, Florence (Greta Gerwig). In the film, Paltrow plays a minor role of an old friend from Roger's past who Roger bumps into at a party.
The Jury (7.0)
Set in New York, The Jury is a courtroom drama that is in the style of 12 Angry Men and Netflix's The Twelve. The series sheds light on the lives of 12 jurors who are responsible for deliberating capital crime cases. The first season walks the viewer through the case of a young Sikh boy, who is charged with the murder of his classmate. While the jurors gather every detail and evidence behind the case, the rest of the nation depends on their decision.
Jake Paltrow directed the finale of season 1, titled "Memories," in which the jurors deliberate over the case, in turn, revealing their own prejudices and experiences.
De Palma (7.4)
Brian De Palma's gleefully provoking catalog of films has left its mark in the world of cinema. In the documentary film De Palma, auteurs Noah Baumbach and Jake Paltrow take viewers on a journey through Palma's impressive body of work that spans almost a half-century.
From neo-noir thrillers like Blow Out to full-blown horror classics like Carrie, the documentary features Brian De Palma discussing all the major milestones of his filmmaking career. Other than being highly acclaimed by critics, the documentary is a visual feast for anyone who wishes to take a retrospective look at the director's timeline.
NYPD Blue (7.5)
ABC's NYPD Blue is an engrossing cop drama, spanning over 12 seasons, that portrays the day-to-day challenges of cops in New York's 15th Precinct. Going back and forth between the personal and professional lives of its main characters, the series shows the conflict between the two.
Jake Paltrow directed a total of 10 episodes of the series, starting with the tenth episode of season 5 in 1997 and ending in 2004 with season 12, episode 11.
High Incident (7.7)
Capturing the quick-paced and high-stakes lives of men in uniform, High Incident primarily centers on the officers of the El Camino Police Department. Although relatively lesser-known today, the show was lauded for its realistic and emotional portrayal of cops when it first premiered.
Jake Paltrow directed the second season's episode 17, and although the series was dropped after season 2, it still remains one of Paltrow's highest-rated works.
The Others (7.7)
Deemed a horror series with a dash of feel-good vibes, The Others pulls off an unlikely combination of two contrasting genres. The series revolves around Marian Kitt, who learns that she isn't the only one who can see ghosts after she runs into a group called "The Others." The members of the group possess similar paranormal abilities and they join forces to try to understand the beings from this other dimension. While they are at it, a powerful evil force begins to emerge around them.
After being featured in NBC's Saturday night supernatural/paranormal programming block, The Others was canceled after season 1, despite receiving a fairly optimistic response from viewers. Its climactic episode, which ends things on a satisfying note, was helmed by Jake Paltrow.
Halt And Catch Fire (8.4)
Set in the 80s, Halt and Catch Fire portrays the great tech boom from the perspective of three different individuals: a visionary, an engineer, and a prodigy. Although the drama is mostly a work of fiction, it draws its inspiration from the series of events that led to the development of Compaq Computers.
While its references to the micro-computer revolution may only appeal to tech geeks, its engrossing story and striking drama have something for everyone. When it comes to Jake Paltrow's contribution to the series, he directed the fourth episode of its third season.
Boardwalk Empire (8.5)
Because of its release schedule, Boardwalk Empire ended up being second-in-command to HBO's Game of Thrones. However, those who could divide their attention between the two dramas certainly did not regret watching the former. Considered to be in league with the finest crime TV shows, such as Sopranos, The Wire, and True Detective, the series received rave reviews throughout its five seasons.
Jake Paltrow directed two episodes in the last two seasons (season 4, episode 10 and season 5, episode 4), and his skill as a director shines through in both.