In "Jack and His Friends", when an overweight, balding, middle aged shoe salesmen, and a cuckold to boot, meets two young punks on the lam from the law, what emerges is a film that contains not only a half dozen serious belly laughs but remains at the same time poignant and unforgettable. Allen Garfield, Sam Rockwell, and Judy Reyes exhibit masterful comic timing under the brilliantly manic direction of Bruce Ornstein, who also wrote the screenplay. "Jack..." is clearly reminiscent of both Rohmer and Truffaut in its humanity, while joining the ranks of Almodovar in its tone and ability to surprise. (Film festival goers take note - Ornstein was hailed as the "next Almodovar" at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain)
Kidnapped to his off season island home, Jack (Garfield) comes face to face with his existence at the behest of Louie (Rockwell) and Rosie (Reyes). The trio of outstanding performances are well supported by Marianne (Alison Fraiser) as the sexually starved wife of her psychiatrist husband, Tom. (Paul Hecht) Fraiser and Hecht exhibit moments of comedic game playing that brings to mind what Noel Coward would have written had he lived through the new millennium.
Dan Stoloff contributes soul satisfying cinematography.
What we have here is a gem of a film that was somehow undiscovered at the time of its release. If what you seek are great performances contained within a brilliant story, the discovery of a major directing talent, and to laugh, laugh, laugh -- RUN! (for god sakes, don't walk!) to see "Jack and His Friends".
Kidnapped to his off season island home, Jack (Garfield) comes face to face with his existence at the behest of Louie (Rockwell) and Rosie (Reyes). The trio of outstanding performances are well supported by Marianne (Alison Fraiser) as the sexually starved wife of her psychiatrist husband, Tom. (Paul Hecht) Fraiser and Hecht exhibit moments of comedic game playing that brings to mind what Noel Coward would have written had he lived through the new millennium.
Dan Stoloff contributes soul satisfying cinematography.
What we have here is a gem of a film that was somehow undiscovered at the time of its release. If what you seek are great performances contained within a brilliant story, the discovery of a major directing talent, and to laugh, laugh, laugh -- RUN! (for god sakes, don't walk!) to see "Jack and His Friends".