Divorcing Jack (1998)

reviewed by
Greg King


DIVORCING JACK (M). (NewVision) Director: David Caffrey Stars: David Thewlis, Rachel Griffiths, Robert Lindsay, Richard Gant, Laine Megaw, Laura Fraser, Alan McKee, Jason Isaacs Running time: 106 minutes.

This violent, zany and blackly comic thriller, adapted from Colin Bateman's widely acclaimed novel, is set against the background of contemporary Northern Ireland, besieged by chaos, violence and unrest. However, Divorcing Jack is closer in spirit to the brilliant The Crying Game rather than the dry political polemics of Jim Sheridan (In The Name Of The Father, etc). The clever title doesn't really tell audiences what to expect from this film, which deftly plays around with the conventions of several genres.

The film is set in 1999, which assures us that, at least for the moment, the events are fictitious. Ireland is approaching an election, and the front running candidate for the post of prime Minister is Michael Brinn (Robert Lindsay), a suave, charismatic Tony Blair-like politician running on a peace platform. Enter Dan Starkey (David Thewlis, from Mike Leigh's Naked, etc), a cynical, wise-cracking, hard drinking, womanising newspaper columnist. On the way to a party one night Dan befriends pretty young art student Margaret (Laura Fraser). His wife Patricia (Laine Megaw) throws him out of the house, and Dan temporarily moves into Margaret's loft apartment.

The domestic comedy of the film's first half hour hardly prepares the audience for the unexpected twists that the plot unexpectedly takes. One night Dan arrives at the apartment, only to find Margaret brutally murdered. Suddenly, Dan finds himself on the run, wanted for murder and other unspecified crimes. He is hunted by the authorities and gun toting hitmen from both sides of the political spectrum. It seems that Dan has inadvertently come into possession of some incriminating evidence that could blow the election wide open, and set the peace process back years. His only ally in this dangerous world is Lee (Aussie actress Rachel Griffiths), a nurse who doubles as a stripping nun by night.

First time feature director David Caffrey injects a wicked stream of anarchic humour into the inventive and exhausting roller coaster plot, eschewing the usual political commentary and social criticism for bullets, bombs and car chases. This slightly unconventional film possesses a subversive spirit, a boisterous style and energy to spare. As the film rockets along, Caffrey deliberately keeps the audience as off balance as Starkey.

Bateman's colourful, quirky characters are brought vividly to life by a strong cast. Cast largely against type, Thewlis makes the most of his showiest role for ages as the wise cracking reluctant hero. His energetic performance, his abrasive humour, and droll narration provides the film with much of its ironic tone. When Griffiths' character declares "I haven't had so much fun in years," you can almost believe she is speaking from the heart.

Divorcing Jack makes for a perversely entertaining film. Although decidedly scrappy in parts, it marks a promising debut from Caffrey, a young director who displays more energy and flair here than a handful of other first time film makers combined.

***
greg king
http://www.netau.com.au/gregking

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