John John in the Sky

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John John in the Sky^[1] (also titled I'll Wave Back)^[2] is a 2001 American-Japanese drama film written by Jefferson Davis and Kari Skogland, directed by Davis and starring Matt Letscher and Christian Craft.

• Matt Letscher as John Clairborne
• Christian Craft as John John
• Rusty Schwimmer as Zeola
• Randy Travis as John Claiborne
• Romy Rosemont as John's Mother
• Aunjanue Ellis as Earlene
• Gemini Bartlett

The film was shown at the Method Fest Independent Film Festival on June 17, 2001.^[1]

Dave Lukens of The Dove Foundation gave the film a positive review and wrote, "Overall, this is a great film."^[3]

Robert Koehler of Variety gave the film a negative review and wrote, "If only the storytelling in helmer Jefferson Davis’ and co-writer Kari Skogland’s script of John John in the Sky had half the aching beauty and resonance of lenser Joel Daavid’s color-saturated images of a bygone rural South, this family drama would be a bracing experience. As it is, tale of a man recalling his coming of age plays like a false piece of dress-up Americana, its humanistic aims undermined every step of the way. Despite presence of country star Randy Travis, this slice of Dixie will fade quickly after modest fest exposure."^[1]

TV Guide gave the film a mixed review: "Although this convoluted father-son drama doesn’t always gel, it contains many affecting moments."^[2]

• John John in the Sky at IMDb
• John John in the Sky at Rotten Tomatoes