Jumbo 2021

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.

During her late-night shifts, while cleaning and caring for Jumbo after the park closes, Jeanne begins to perceive its lights, sounds, and movements as if they are responding to her presence. This sparks an imaginative connection, leading her to develop a distinct way of communicating with the ride. Over time, she becomes convinced that Jumbo reciprocates her feelings, and their encounters grow more intimate. This culminates in a surreal, dreamlike experience where she envisions herself enveloped by Jumbo’s machinery and dark oil.

Simultaneously, Margarette embarks on a relationship with Hubert, a newcomer to their area. Margarette is initially thrilled when Jeanne confides in her that she has fallen in love, assuming that it concerns Marc. However, her excitement rapidly turns to disbelief and hostility upon discovering that Jeanne’s affection is directed toward an amusement-park ride. Despite this harsh reaction, Jeanne stands firm, asserting that her feelings are genuine and real.

In a moment of rejection, Margarette expels Jeanne from their home. Heartbroken, Jeanne makes her way back to the park, where she eventually sleeps with Marc, though her heart remains with Jumbo. At the park’s annual end-of-season celebration, Marc honors Jeanne by naming her Employee of the Year. However, this joyous occasion quickly takes a turn when he announces the removal of Move It due to a disappointing lack of visitors. In a fit of anger, Jeanne confronts him publicly on stage.

Hubert speaks out against the treatment of Jeanne by both Marc and Margarette. In a tender moment of growth, Margarette eventually comes to terms with her daughter’s unconventional relationship and is able to reconcile with Jeanne. Before Jumbo departs from the park for good, Jeanne prepares for a whimsical wedding ceremony beneath the ride, with both her mother and Hubert present, symbolizing acceptance and understanding of her unique love story.