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:

Aging Disorder | Youth | Disease | Premature Birth | Heart Attack

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

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate no. 34700) | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Brazil:10 | 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:

Tom Hanks was the original choice for the lead role because of his performance in Big (1988).

Goofs:

Continuity: Jack's shoelace is untied when he starts balancing on the edge of a raised area. It is tied later in the same scene.

Quotes:

Lawrence Woodruff: Do you know why I teach, Jack?
Jack: No.
Lawrence Woodruff: Well, I teach, not to pass on knowledge, not to produce great people, but because I enjoy meeting young people and being around them. And, Jack, you were my most exceptional pupil. Because even being what you are, you still had a desire to learn. Now, tell me, have you ever seen a shooting star, Jack?
[Jack shakes his head]
Lawrence Woodruff: No?... Well, they're very rare. They're seen in the sky for only a very brief time. But when they appear, they are so bright, and so brilliant, that all the other normal stars just stand still, and watch that star as it passes among them.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Varsity Blues (1999)

Soundtrack:

Button Up Your Overcoat

Better than expected!

If you give this movie a chance, let your imagination go and you will believe (if you WANT to) that Robin Williams *is* a ten year old boy. I was surprised at how much I actually liked it. The premise sounds weak, but they did a fairly good job with it. The kids in the movie are great....... and the term "boys will be boys" is never as true as in the 'treehouse' scene. Watch it if you have boys ! You'll know what I mean! There is little if any 'language' in this movie ; no shoot-em-ups; no sex...the family can watch this together safely. Enjoy and let your imagination go... be a kid again!