Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood review – a charming attempt to create a Down’s syndrome superhero movie – The Guardian

Tommy Jessop actually isn’t shy about attempting new issues. Viewers might recognise him from his gripping portrayal of homicide suspect Terry Boyle within the last seasons of crime drama Line of Obligation. It was made all of the extra memorable by the truth that it was an thrilling and multi-faceted function – one thing that’s not often afforded to actors with studying disabilities. He has starred reverse Nicholas Hoult within the BAFTA-nominated BBC drama Coming Down The Mountain, he was the primary actor with Down’s syndrome to tour theatres as Hamlet, and has thrown himself into advocacy work – campaigning for the rights of individuals with Down’s syndrome. Breaking boundaries is one thing that Jessop isn’t any stranger to.

He nonetheless has a number of tiny aspirations up his sleeve, although. “My new dream is to be the following Bond,” we see Jessop announce whereas onstage receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Arts on the College of Winchester. Narrowing his eyes, he turns to the facet and places his index fingers collectively within the traditional Bond pose: “James Bond. Shaken, however not stirred.”

Expectations are fairly excessive, then, on this charming and insightful documentary following Jessop and his older brother, film-maker Will, as they try to show Tommy’s dream of enjoying the hero in a film into actuality. “One factor you need to learn about Tommy is that he at all times offers himself a ten/10 job,” Will says with a touch of pleasure, earlier than admitting, “I’ve realized to by no means underestimate him.”

Jessop’s confidence and can-do angle underpin and uplift the programme all through and cease it from being a narrative of woe – he’s not on the lookout for sympathy, he’s simply on the lookout for a good likelihood. Regardless of his critically acclaimed efficiency in Line of Obligation, the actor reveals that work has been skinny on the bottom because it aired two years in the past. “What we wish is for him to have the identical alternatives as every other actor, and never be sidelined as a result of he has Down’s syndrome,” explains his mom, Jane.

He’s suggested by an business colleague that he would want to put in writing his personal story to essentially seize the eye of Hollywood bigwigs, so he begins brainstorming. He comes up with a superhero movie idea wherein the unhealthy man desires to get rid of individuals with Down’s syndrome, and the hero – a component he initially offers to his teddy bear, however later reveals he want to play himself – has to cease him. The story is inextricably linked to the dialog across the ethics of Down’s syndrome prenatal screening exams.

The 38-year-old actor is obtainable pearls of knowledge by a number of well-known faces on his journey, together with Zack Gottsagen, who additionally has Down’s syndrome and starred within the critically-acclaimed The Peanut Butter Falcon, and Recreation of Thrones’ Equipment Harington. Gottsagen arranges conferences for Jessop in LA, together with a gathering with a Hollywood producer. The film-maker brothers are excited – lastly this might actually be taking place.

They’re additionally excited as a result of it’s the first time they’re travelling overseas collectively with out their mom. Whereas packing, Jane begins reeling off an inventory of issues she feels Will wants to recollect about Tommy’s care. There’s a pregnant pause, earlier than her eldest son asks dryly: “Do you suppose he’d be alright if we simply didn’t do any of this?”

At occasions her parental involvement feels slightly overbearing, however the documentary handles it with humour and care. She talks overtly in regards to the difficulties she generally faces when attempting to stability supporting her son and maintaining him secure with permitting him to face on his personal two toes. Early on within the programme, she drives him to a gathering and tells him he’ll be going solo for this one. Jessop doesn’t appear in any respect involved.

Once they lastly arrive in LA, the brothers go to the actor couple Neve Campbell (star of the Scream franchise) and JJ Feild (whose movie roles embrace Captain America). Feild tells him that self-belief is every thing: “If you happen to stroll into that studio down the highway and also you consider completely in your piece, it should promote.” Like Jessop’s different advisers, Feild appears to be rooting for him – although it’s troublesome at occasions to inform how honest all of them are. In spite of everything, it’s one factor telling somebody to consider in themselves, however are they able to put their weight (and cash) behind his script so it may be developed?

Severely jet-lagged, Jessop lastly steps into his large Hollywood producer assembly, the place he explains his movie idea in full. What occurs subsequent is left hanging within the stability, and the documentary, whereas it will not be gripping viewing, leaves us rooting for him to succeed. If Jessop’s confidence is something to go by – and it truly is true that that is all it takes – then his superhero story is way from over.

• Tommy Jessop Goes To Hollywood aired on BBC One and is on the market on BBC iPlayer

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