JACK
A film review by Zak Forsman
Copyright 1997 Zak Forsman
Little Big Man
Directed by FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA Written by JAMES DEMONACO and GARY NADEAU
ROBIN WILLIAMS as Jack Powell DIANE LANE as Karen Powell BRIAN KERWIN as Brian Powell BILL COSBY as Lawrence Woodruff ADAM ZOLOTIN as Louis Durante FRAN DRESCHER as Dolores D.D. Durante JENNIFER LOPEZ as Miss Martinez
During the 1970's, Francis Ford Coppola had brought us THE GODFATHER, THE CONVERSATION, THE GODFATHER PART II and APOCALYPSE NOW. All were nominated for Best Picture and the two GODFATHER films each won their Oscars. Coppola made these back to back to back to back. They are arguably some of the best films that ever came out of American cinema. Then in 1980, with the release of ONE FROM THE HEART (the straw that broke the camel's back) Coppola began a decade long run of mediocrity. He stopped writing his own work and the scope of his pictures narrowed. Not that a film's scope is a determinant of quality, he co-wrote the screenplay for RUMBLE FISH which is probably his best film during the 1980's, but Coppola was proving himself a master of the epic film. Only in 1990 with the release of THE GODFATHER PART III did he prove that he hadn't lost his screenwriting touch--he just wasn't using it. PART III was rightfully nominated for Best Picture but lost out to the unfortunate Year of Kevin Costner. After that he made BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA which is only recently gathering a cult following. Now in 1996, he brings us JACK.
Jack Powell, played by Robin Williams, is ten years old. However, because of a mysterious Hollywood disease, he grows at four times the natural rate. Because of this he was born, fully developed, after a two month pregnancy and now looks like a forty year old man. His parents overprotect him. They hire him a tutor, Bill Cosby, so that he doesn't have to go to school. Eventually, it is the tutor that insists Jack be allowed to attend public school and meet kids his own age. They decide to give it a shot and the story continues from there.
Too often the written word, something the audience experiences indirectly, is a film's weakest link. The scribes for JACK, James DeMonaco and Gary Nadeau, have written scenes that are both effectively comical and touching, but the film is best when words are put aside and Coppola begins telling a bit of story through his mastery of visuals. The dialogue is at times uninspired and predictable, and that's unfortunate. However, there are plenty of great moments created by Coppola and Robin Williams that keep the film afloat. And with the closing of the film, we are brought to tears--at least I was.
For example, Francis Ford Coppola directed a scene in JACK where Robin Williams watches a butterfly spring from a cocoon. The scene is full of wonder and the inherent symbolism is more than apparent. Later, presumably the same butterfly lands on Robin's windowsill. He picks it up and tries to set it free, but it dies in his hands. Neither of these scenes contain any dialogue and more is said about JACK at these times than any other. This is the work of a great director. Coppola also makes great use of time-lapse photography and another similar effect that involves a sunbeam moving across the room during a regular motion shot. These are my favorite moments in the film.
Robin Williams does an equal--if not better--job of playing a child in a man's body than Tom Hanks did in BIG. The difference is Williams' character suffers from intense psychological difficulties once he begins to realize how quickly his life will end. It's a thoughtful performance by Williams. It's also an inspiring one. The rest of the cast is fine. All the kids are great and even Fran Drescher is good. Bill Cosby is sweet, but again, the keys to the film's success are Williams and Coppola.
While Coppola was shooting GARDENS OF STONE, his eldest son was killed in a boating accident. Just a few months later, Coppola's granddaughter was born. She will never know her father first-hand. The film is dedicated to her. I can see why Coppola chose to do this film. And although the writing wasn't up to snuff, I can't deny that I watched the credits through teary eyes.
Writing ** Directing **** Acting ****
Ratings are based on the four-star system.
Zak Forsman, filmmaker
Swan Pictures Independent http://www.epix.net/~swan/ swan@epix.net
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