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Fantasy drama

Jumbo (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Jumbo (2021) movie poster

Jumbo is a 2021 fantasy drama directed by Zoé Wittock, starring Noémie Merlant as Jeanne, Bastien Bouillon and Sam Louwyck. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $32,062 worldwide. Critics gave it 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 3.1/10.

IMDb rating
3.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
76%
worldwide gross
$32.1K
Echo Score
75
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Jumbo (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Zoé Wittock
Genres
Drama , Fantasy , Romance
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Jumbo About?

The premise of Jumbo without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A shy young woman named Jeanne discovers a sense of belonging within the enchanting atmosphere of amusement parks. There, she develops a unique and profound connection with Jumbo, a captivating carousel that appears to possess a hidden magic. As her bond with the carousel grows stronger, Jeanne's life undergoes a significant transformation, prompting her to explore themes of love, family relationships, and the search for self-discovery.

Jumbo Themes & Keywords

· 2 tags
  • giraffe
  • elephant
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Cast & crew

Jumbo Cast & Characters

Noémie Merlant leads the cast as Jeanne, with Bastien Bouillon as Marc and Sam Louwyck as Hubert. Directed by Zoé Wittock; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Jumbo

· 5 more
Ratings

Jumbo Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Jumbo 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 3.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

75 /100

Jumbo Echo Score Breakdown

Jumbo presents a distinctive directorial debut that combines an original premise with heartfelt performances, though narrative unevenness and a rushed conclusion hold back its full potential. Critics praise the film’s imaginative build-up and emotional authenticity in depicting a socially unconventional romance. The visual and emotional journey is frequently described as sweet and engaging, drawing comparisons to classic coming-of-age fantasies. However, shortcomings in plot resolution and thematic depth introduce moments of dissatisfaction. Ultimately, Jumbo offers an appealing but imperfect cinematic experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, Jumbo showcases Zoé Wittock’s confident direction and a cohesive visual design that evokes classic fantasy motifs. Critics note the film’s polished debut effort, highlighting its measured pacing and crafted sequences. Production elements seamlessly support the central narrative, creating an engaging atmosphere. Overall, the art direction and visual cohesion establish a strong stylistic identity despite occasional narrative strains.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, Jumbo benefits from a nuanced lead performance that conveys genuine warmth and vulnerability. Noémie Merlant transforms a potentially whimsical concept into an emotionally resonant portrayal, emphasizing the purity of an unconventional bond. While some critics point to an underdeveloped exploration of objectophilia, the film’s heartfelt interactions maintain audience investment. In conclusion, the character work offers substantive emotional appeal despite minor depth limitations.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, Jumbo captivates with a unique premise and a finely built emotional arc but stumbles in its conclusion. Reviewers commend the film’s originality and engaging momentum during its central developments. However, many note a rushed and unsatisfying ending that undermines earlier narrative investments. Overall, the plot delivers compelling moments but is tempered by structural inconsistencies in its resolution.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When considering the sensory experience, Jumbo presents a cohesive visual style and an understated sound design that complements its romantic tone. Critics highlight the film’s deliberate pacing and visual homages to genre predecessors, noting an immersive atmosphere. The soundtrack and ambient audio work unobtrusively to support key emotional beats. In sum, the sensory elements reinforce the film’s mood without overwhelming the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, Jumbo offers a novel viewing experience that remains engaging on a first pass but shows limited depth on subsequent viewings. The film’s imaginative premise and emotional sincerity retain interest initially, yet the absence of deeper thematic exploration becomes more apparent over time. While its unique charm encourages a revisit for visual appreciation, the moderate narrative fulfillment may lessen its lasting appeal.

Plot

Jumbo Plot Summary

What happens in Jumbo from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jeanne Tantois is a quiet young woman who has nurtured an enduring fascination with amusement-park rides. In her own room, she creatively constructs miniature mechanical attractions, yet she struggles to connect with those around her. Living with her vivacious mother, Margarette, Jeanne often finds herself embarrassed by her mother’s uninhibited approach to relationships.

As time goes on, Jeanne takes a job working nights at a nearby amusement park where a new ride, Move It, has just been launched. Her manager, Marc, is drawn to her and makes efforts to start a romantic relationship. However, Jeanne becomes increasingly fixated on the new ride, giving it an affectionate new name—Jumbo.

Full summary

The whole story of Jumbo, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Jumbo Box Office

Jumbo grossed $32,062 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$32.1K

International
$32.1K
Videos

Jumbo Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Jumbo - Official Trailer | Sundance, Noémie Merlant
  • Featurette PFF29 Q&A | JUMBO
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Jumbo?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the protagonist who develops a fascination with amusement-park rides?

Details

Jumbo Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “점보” and “Τζάμπο”.

Also known as
  • 점보
  • Τζάμπο
  • 恋する遊園地
  • Джамбо
  • รักฉันมัน "จัมโบ้"
  • Rak Chan Man Jumbo
  • 珍布
  • 慾望摩天輪

Seen Jumbo?

FAQ

Jumbo FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Jumbo, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Jumbo?

Jumbo runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Jumbo released?

Jumbo was released on February 19, 2021.

Who directed Jumbo?

Jumbo was directed by Zoé Wittock.

Who is in the cast of Jumbo?

Jumbo stars Noémie Merlant as Jeanne, Bastien Bouillon as Marc and Sam Louwyck as Hubert, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Jumbo make at the box office?

Jumbo grossed $32,062 worldwide.

How is Jumbo rated?

Jumbo has 3.1/10 on IMDb, 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.

Does Jumbo have a post-credit scene?

No. Jumbo has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Jumbo in?

The original language of Jumbo is French.

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