Jack (1996)

Director:

Francis Ford Coppola

Writers (WGA):

James DeMonaco (written by) &
Gary Nadeau (written by)

Release Date:

9 August 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Jack Powell is about to tackle his biggest adventure ever... the fifth grade!

Plot:

Because of an unusual aging disorder that has aged him four times faster than a normal human being, a boy enters the fifth grade for the first time with the appearance of a 40 year old man.

Plot Keywords:

Sentimental | Heart Attack | Humor | Handicap | Freak

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Robin Williams	...	Jack Charles Powell
Diane Lane	...	Karen Powell
Brian Kerwin	...	Brian Powell
Jennifer Lopez	...	Miss Marquez
Bill Cosby	...	Lawrence Woodruff
Fran Drescher	...	Dolores 'D.D.' Durante
Adam Zolotin	...	Louis 'Louie' Durante
Todd Bosley	...	Eddie
Seth Smith	...	John-John
Mario Yedidia	...	George
Jeremy Lelliott	...	Johnny Duffer
Jurnee Smollett	...	Phoebe
Dani Faith	...	Jane
Hugo Hernandez	...	Victor
Rickey D'Shon Collins	...	Eric

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual references.

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:10 | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | USA:PG-13 (certificate no. 34700) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Mare Island, Vallejo, California, USA

Company:

American Zoetrope

Trivia:

Francis Ford Coppola gave Robin Williams camping gear to spend the night in his backyard and ten dollars to spend at Toys R Us before shooting the film.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: Visible during the scene in the cafeteria.

Quotes:

Eric: When I grow up, I want to be a gynecologist.
Miss Marquez: You need to give a reason.
Eric: You're the reason, Miss Marquez.

Movie Connections:

References Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Soundtrack:

Button Up Your Overcoat

One of those rare movies with a real message

This movie has something very important attached to it: a message of life. This is due to the underlying themes as well as to Robin Williams' touching performance which is saddening and inspirational at the same time. He is able to transform the sheer hopelessness of his fate which subjects him to an early death with such outstanding and sincere skills that are deeply moving. Apart from that his entire character - as it is designed - demands substantial acting throughout the whole plot. He delivers a performance that many other actors would simply not have been able to accomplish. It takes a special kind of actor to portray such a character just as Jack here. The message is that despite a fate that destines us to be exposed to tremendous agonies and blank despair, there is always a light of hope, and this light burns in our hearts. It's up to us only what we do with the time that we're granted with. In Jack's case time is even more precious than for normal people. Despite the sadness and despair that is ultimately caused thereby, we still have the chance to make the best out of every minute. All we have to do is value the little things, such as friendship and love, and thus escape the shades of darkness. The movie itself is funny and sincere, it has important dialogues and, as stated above, a real massage, which makes it special. Watch out for it.