Jacob the Baker Movie Review

Available on Video on Demand

“Jacob the Baker” is a fictional guy, but his presence seems real to the readers who know him. When a reporter gets an assignment to interview this author, she feels that this might be a waste of her time. But then hearing the many stories told by ‘Jacob the Baker’ gives her a better understanding of her current difficult family situation.

Noah Benshea (as himself) has been arranged for the interview that was given to ‘The Reporter’ (played by Dara Emery). Benshea is a successful author of many books. These books are almost all about his fictional creation named ‘Jacob the Baker’. Benshea is known as a poet and philosopher, and the books have been translated into many languages.

Noah is currently on a tour where he gets up and speaks about his beliefs and his ideas. Or rather, ‘Jacob the Baker’ is in front of audiences. They are there listening to the insights and wisdom of the modest baker. The Reporter is set up for the interview. She has had some difficult times lately. Her father is slowly dying in the hospital.

The Reporter wants to make a quick interview and would like to exit early. But when she realizes the ways that Jacob the Baker has affected others, she becomes more and more interested. Noah Benshea is extremely courteous and kind to The Reporter. He is truly concerned for her and The Reporter’s state of mind. So he tells her some stories…

One story is about a woman he calls ‘Faithless in Denmark’ (played by Kathrine Kohl). She has been raised in the Church, but now her faith has left her. She is a talented photographer and art designer. But now she only seems to focus on what is harsh and ugly. ‘Faithless’ recalls of a time when she was young. She and her mother would go to Church. Afterwards, they would walk out to the park and look at the sky. Her mother said there are always Angels flying up in air. ‘Faithless’ saw birds and thought they could be the Angels. The wisdom that Jacob gives to ‘Faithless’ is to be more giving to others.

One day, ‘Faithless’ comes across on older homeless woman. The poor lady is cold out in the park, so ‘Faithless’ gives the old lady her colorful scarf. It was a real act of kindness. From that point on, ‘Faithless’ became more giving and caring. She turned a corner in her life, and went on to study to become a Nurse.

There is another story that Noah Benshea tells The Reporter. It is about ‘Mother in Need of Mothering in Milan’ (played by Marta Pozzan). This woman had a very successful career as a fashion designed. She had almost no time for her son. Jacob gives her some advice to treasure the time that she has, and spent as much time with her son as possible. Even at her office, she makes time to play make-believe with the boy.

Jacob is not finished with stories. He also tells The Reporter about a man he calls ‘Suffering in a Bottle in Israel’ (played by Liron Levo). This person was in the military, and is now working for the police department. But all that he saw, the death and destruction and misery — it has caused Suffering to turn to alcohol and pills. ‘Suffering’ is in pain, and the booze and the meds are making him feel worst. He reaches out to Jacob the Baker for help. Jacob tells him that just because you have fallen doesn’t mean that you can no longer get up.

Soon afterwards, ‘Suffering’ meets an old Army friend. This other guy was blinded in a conflict, and ‘Suffering’ blames himself. His fiend tells him that he should seek more help, because ‘Suffering’ deserves to feel better. Suffering starts to attend AA meetings, and finds that there others who can help him with the problems that he thought were his alone to bear.

Noah Benshea is still in the interview, but he knows that The Reporter might need to have more assistance herself. So he talks about a man that he calls ‘Ashamed in Korea’ (played by Minjun Kwak). The man wrote to Jacob the Baker for help. He had cheated on his wife, and felt that he had betrayed her and the marriage.

‘Ashamed’ was a very successful architect in Korea and he and his wife had been married for quite some time. But he felt the love was gone. Jacob tells the professional man that, falling in love can be the easy part. You always need to work on sticking the landing. ‘Ashamed’ decided to explain it all to his wife. Then he went by himself on a walk. His wife was there waiting for him when he got to the park.

The Reporter thanks Noah Benshea for the interview. Benshea lets her know that she can always reach out to him, and to Jacob the Baker, if she is feeling down. Benshea wishes the best for her, and goes on to perform his show. Afterwards, Benshea gets into a cab. The driver (played by Kenny Johnson) is a very nice guy. But he seems burdened by something.

Noah Benshea and the driver have a spirited conversion. Benshea convinces the driver that his life is always a blessing. Even when it does seem to look like it is bright and cheery at the time. Debts and bills and other burdens are heavy, but with the right attitude and the outlook — a person can achieve anything.

The Reporter does later reach out to Noah Benshea. She wonders if Jacob the Baker has any thoughts on how to cope with her father, who is dying. She is not sure that she believes in the Afterlife, so how could she join him one day in Heaven? Jacob tells her that she does not need to fret about the future. She can spend every moment she has with her father now while he is still around. Maybe at some future point she will see a pathway to a better place…

“Jacob the Baker” is a pretty good little inspirational movie. Noah Benshea is a person who is a wonderful listener, and he can dispense nuggets of truth like they were candy. Each story comes across as an honest portrayal of the situations that can trouble people. Each tale that is told is shown on the screen in well-produced manner.

There is some slight similarity in this movie the 2012 “Life of Pi”. In that movie a famous author was being interviewed about his life’s story. Of course, that movie was fictional, and so is Jacob the Baker. But the use of an interview with an author is quite interesting. This movie is not a studio-funded blockbuster. So I think that make ‘Jacob the Baker’ a more understated and honest.

Here are a handful of the quotes from ‘Jacob’ (paraphrased):

“Nobody can be found who does not first feel lost.”
“If you are going to make anything in life, make a difference.”
“Honesty is being true with others; Integrity is being true to yourself.”
“It is the silence between the notes that makes the Music.”

“Jacob the Baker” can be something really good to watch if you are feeling a bit down over your own life circumstances. You’re going to see a guy who just has some good things to say.

Available on Video on Demand