Have Cheetah,Will View #29 – “The Art of Jack”(2016)

It’s 1:22 am

Another very cold night here in SE Michigan,we have been hit with small but a steady stream of snow this week. I have been pretty busy here on the blog as I have a whole slew of new “8 Questions With……” upcoming including one with the mighty Sean Cain will be quite the read!!
Another interview will be with rising star Alexander Clark,a UK based actor who I think has a ton of potential to do great things once his face and name gets out to the general public.  When I asked him in doing my pre-interview prep for a acting reel,he sent this short film instead.
The cheetah jumped up when I started playing it which is always a good sign..

 

 

The Art of Jack is at first glance a simple story of a young man with a dream that may be slipping from his fingers.But it goes so much deeper then that.
The film opens up with Jack (Alexander Clark) being picked up from university by his parents. Jack has a sad look on his face and you know he isn’t leaving because he wants to.
Back at home,Jack notices not much has changed and you see the resigned look on his face as his dad (Michael Liversidge) tells him he has something for him on his bed upstairs.
His dad is expecting him to come work with him at his dad’s garage and Jack isn’t happy.
Two weeks later,Jack still hasn’t made a move concerning his future and his mother (Gill McV gently prods him into making a move.
Jack is looking on his computer at various art schools as he has a chance to go get his Master’s  but looks like money is a problem.
We see that Jack has real artistic talent in a small portfolio,as he wears his new work uniform,Jack looks at his work and calls a friend and comments that he (Jack) has to join the “real world”.
He tosses the his portfolio in the trash as he heads back upstairs….and his uncertain future.

This is a excellent film because the real star isn’t Jack but his parents. What made this film so refreshing to me was the fact it portrayed both parents as being very supportive of their son and his dreams.
Far too many times in British films the parents are shown bitter and cynical as life has been hard and cruel. They are often shown dashing or dismissing their children’s hopes and desires. It’s a tired cliche but it yet it still persists in too many films.
But while Jack’s parents are hard working,you can tell they have a love for the arts and when they see just how talented Jack is….they both throw their full support behind him.
All three performers are strong,Clark,as Jack does a fine job of showing a young man that can his goals slipping away. His whole body shows a defeated man who is dreading his future.
Liversidge and McVey have perfect chemistry as the parents,a real sense of people who while blue collar ,love to explore and more importantly,explored the galleries and theaters. They are cultured people who can still enjoy a beer and a football match.
Hannah McKenna has done as excellent job in directing “Jack” but casting director Thomasin Rawle sure made it much easier by casting such talent. This is one group of very good artists to keep a eye out for.

 

The cheetah and I give up a paws/thumbs up.

 

Thanks for reading our review and as always,feedback is always welcomed!