Jack (2004) (TV)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Lee Rose

Writers (WGA):

A.M. Homes (teleplay)
A.M. Homes (novel)

Release Date:

20 June 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

She's coming apart, he's coming out. Raising your parents isn't easy.

Plot:

Jack, in full puberty, not only has to deal with his parents' divorce, but also feels his world is falling...

Plot Keywords:

Gay Parent | Gay Interest | Gay Father | Gay Husband | Marital Separation

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Stockard Channing	...	Anne
Ron Silver	...	Paul
Anton Yelchin	...	Jack
Erich Anderson	...	Steve Burka
Brent Spiner	...	Vernon
Andrew Airlie	...	Michael
Wendy Crewson	...	Elaine Burka
Giacomo Baessato	...	Max
Brittney Irvin	...	Maggie (as Britt Irvin)
Paul McGillion	...	Bob
Ryan Drescher	...	Sammy
Jano Frandsen	...	John Rogers
Kevin Blatch	...	Jim
Jordan Weller	...	Eddie Hayes
Blu Mankuma	...	Coach

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material.

Runtime:

Brazil:104 min | 104 min (Showtime Library Print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

USA:PG-13

Company:

Daniel L. Paulson Productions

Growing pains

This film shown on cable, recently, was a real find. Not having heard about it, but based on the talented cast assembled here, I decided to watch it, and I must confess that it has much more power than the bland fare that is being shown in mainstream movies. The film is directed with integrity by Lee Rose.

A divorce, is a tragedy, specially for the children that are left behind. Jack, is a teen ager when his parents decide to split up, amicably. Paul, Jack's father takes him out to eat at fancy restaurants during his weekly visits, as if to compensate for what has been lost. Jack couldn't care less. Secretly, he would like to see the parents together.

The cruel fact here is that Paul is gay. Jack is nasty, at first, but he comes around because of Wendy, another product of divorce, whose gay father happens to be a good friend of Paul. Wendy is light years ahead of Jack in dealing with a situation she can't control. It is through their friendship that Jack gets to accept his father.

Ron Silver plays Paul, the gay father with conviction. This actor plays the troubled father wanting understanding from the son he has left. Stockard Channing is Anne, the mother, who has to deal with the problems the divorce and the homosexuality has caused in Jack. Finally, Jack, as portrayed by Anton Yelchin, was a good choice for the part.

Watch the film, you won't regret it.