Jack & Ella (2002)

Director:

Brenda Keesal

Writer:

Brenda Keesal (writer)

Release Date:

June 2002 (Canada)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

It's not what you think, it's what you feel.

Plot:

A black man and a Jewish woman crash into each other and win a dream house in the suburbs. Love-starved neighbours invade their brand-new home, and an all-night party pushes every one of them to a climax of truth, hope and liberation.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Jew | Racism | Independent Film

Cast

Henri Pardo	...	Jack
Amy Sloan	...	Ella
Naomi Levine	...	Susie
Catherine Kidd	...	Leni
Robert Higden	...	Ted
Susan Glover	...	Alice
Larry Day	...	Bob
Danette Mackay	...	Carole
Amanda Brugel	...	Elizabeth
Ardon Bess	...	Darrell
Johanna Pollock	...	Little Ella
Eric Hoziel	...	Benjy
Edward Fuller	...	Willy
Irene Rauch	...	Mrs. Weiss
Phillip Goldig	...	Mr. Weiss

Runtime:

Canada:97 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Deep and Rich Film

Jack & Ella blew me away. It's an independent video, and the look is professional, as is the sound. I think it's not the director's first feature... I could be wrong. This film is from Canada, though it really could be anywhere in North America.

The main female leads were outstanding, especially Amy Sloan. The secondary characters were also excellent.

Keesal's work reminded me of other ensemble directors, like Robert Altman, and P T Andersen. The editing and sound work were full of imagination, and the camera work was very edgy. I hope that Brenda Keesal will weave many more tales!