Jack (I) (2014) User Reviews

Heavy throughout

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 19 June 2014]

For a German drama this is pretty good. And for one starring mainly children it's almost incredible that it's as good as it is. It's tough finding suitable child actors who can convey emotions (other than being cute on screen that is). And this is far removed from cute on screen (though empathy obviously will play a major role on how you will watch and judge what happens).

Jack is the title character and is as all heroes in movies troubled. But the troubles feel more than real, the movie filmed to feel like it is a documentary (without narration). There are big obstacles in the way and a seemingly unachievable goal that the kid wants to accomplish. It's not the feel good movie you're looking for, but it might get you thinking about a few things in life ... if you want entertainment though, look elsewhere

Fine debut performance by Pietzcker, very solid movie

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 14 November 2014]

"Jack" is already the third common film project by writer-director Edward Berger and Nele Mueller-Stofen. The two are married as well and Mueller-Stofen, primarily an actress so far, has co-written the screenplay here and also appears in a supporting role. The title character Jack is played by child actor Ivo Pietzcker and he managed to carry the film nicely, which is even more impressive given that he has never appeared in a movie before. It's a very decent film with not too many weaknesses. One of the I found was the lead character's mother and here I am not talking about the way the actress played her, but about the way she was written. I assume it was the filmmakers' intention to create a character where you could never really be sure if you like or dislike her, but her permanent changes in attitude towards her children were just a bit too much to be believable. Early on, she defends Jack against her then-boyfriend when he throws his stuff out of the window. After an accident with the younger brother, she decides to send Jack to a children's home temporarily. Then she seems to revoke the decision and tells how much she loves him. Then he ends up there too. Finally, she does not even seem to care for the younger brother anymore and disappears for days, only to return in the end again to show how much she loves her two boys again, or does she?

There is other minor criticisms such as the ending which was not really easy to understand why he returns to the children's home again. I wish it could have ended the moment they saw their mother return with the lights being on in the flat. Anyway, it didn't. Don't be confused though. I think this was a good movie and I would recommend it. The strengths of it were basically the scenes at the children's home and Jack being on his own alone in Berlin trying to get food, binoculars and more. If you live in the German capital, it is even more worth a watch as you may recognize some of the locations where this was made.

Jack and Manuel

[gardieca · 9/10 · 5 October 2015]

I'm a real fan of stories about children lost in life because of parents that don't seem to care about them, or a society that looks another place when this things happen. Jack tries to survive in Berlin, day and night, looking after his young brother Manuel, with nothing to eat, sleeping in an old car, facing adults, and trying desperately to find his mother, this idea moves them with enthusiasm despite the difficulties they are finding every minute. The main characters, two young boys, 10 and 4 years old, are amazing, their looks, their expressions, their illusion trying to go back home, will make you think that even in an modern and European city, childhood is not always the place you always want to return.

Brilliant

[tanchimc-11296 · 9/10 · 22 December 2015]

I am always so unpleasantly surprised, when i see an excellent movie get 4,5,6,7, stars...And then i compare those movies to really odd, out of passion and uninspired Hollywood movies getting, 6, 7, or 8..well if i see number 8 before watching the movie, I am almost sure that its gonna be a sh..y one, that probably got an 8 just because of famous names or and idea of a movie, that on surface seems deep, but in reality is just another movie without a story and a purpose!! THIS MOVIE certainly Doesn't lack of story and emotions and its one of the best I've seen in a long time!Heartbreaking, realistic story that keeps you in suspension the whole time and an amazing little actor that will go a long way! I hope and pray that enough *normal* people see it and grade it, because the grade 7 here is simply absurd. EXCELLENT movie worth seeing all day long!

Memorable and impressive movie

[robinhio84_ · 9/10 · 6 December 2021]

So this film might evoke some strong reactions here and there. It's quite raw and has children on the fore front.

PERFORMANCE: Jack is absolutely convincing in the titular role. Supportive character deliver all good performances. It's incredible to see how good he actually is.

STORY: While not a story that many can relate to, this is very realistic and shine a light on kids who don't get to tell their own story.

IMPACT: I only wrote this review a couple of years after the movie and to me that speaks of the impact that the movie made on me. It's original and there should probably be more attention for indie movies like this.

Really a gem worth watching.

A powerful movie

[blumdeluxe · 9/10 · 12 May 2019]

"Jack" tells the story of a young boy whose mother is too irresponsible to properly take care of him and his younger brother. Jack has to take care of the two of them and tries to find ways to survive while at the same time eagerly wishing for some motherly love.

The movie is pretty powerful because it tells the story with a lot of empathy and tries to work with a thoughtful character design rather than just stick to one-dimensional stereotypes. It shows how desperately grown up some kids can be because they need to while also depicting how they are still children and very limited in their possibilities. The actors do a great job and the plot keeps you wishing for a better future for the two boys, thus keeping the tension high.

All in all this is a very serious and well-made movie that maybe more people should see to reflect on how we treat children and how we position ourselves towards them.

pretty good

[d3afb0y · 10/10 · 7 March 2022]

I wish it has english subtitle i would know what is going on but i am deaf. I just watched and understand a bit about what's going on what Jack had been through and the story is interesting.