JACK
Germany, 2014, 103 minutes, Colour.
Ivo Piertzker, Georg Arms, Luise Heyer.
Directed by Edward Berger.
Jack is a plain name for a fairly straightforward German slice of life.
Ivo Piertzker is excellent as Jack, a 10-year-old boy who takes a lot of responsibility for his younger brother. He has to because their mother, although she has great love for her children, is quite self-centred and irresponsible, leaving her children for days on end while they have to fend for themselves – or Jack has to fend for both.
The film shows some very happy times. However, the little boy scalds himself in a hot bath while Jack is making him a meal, the result being that they have to go to social services and it is decided that Jack should go into an institution for young children. It is very hard for him and he suffers considerable bullying, despite the warmth of many of the staff. When he is involved in hitting his opponent, he decides to run away. There is no sign of his mother, although she speaks with affection on the phone. He collect his little brother and the rest of the film is about their trying to cope, wandering around the city, Jack involved in trying to steal some binoculars from a store to give to a boy at the home. They sleep in cars until ousted by security. They go to a friend of their mother but decide that they have to fend for themselves. Ultimately, they find their mother at home and are overjoyed. She, however, is full of excitement about a man she has met and whom she could marry.
Jack has to decide whether they should stay with her leave.
The film is plainly made, emphasis given to realism, and the performances are most persuasive in this context. And, of course, the film is a plea for concern about wayward parents and the effects on their children.
1. A German slice of life, particular, yet universal?
2. The strong cast, the actor playing Jack, his screen presence, in every sequence? Realism?
3. The city, apartments, streets, the garage, stores, offices? The institution, the interiors? The countryside, the lake? A sense of realism? The musical score?
4. Social concerns: single mothers, their partners, the mothers and the danger of their selfishness, focusing on themselves, irresponsible? emotional and hopes for a new partner? the children? their ages, different fathers, life at home, play, the reality of the child being jealous of the partner? The outings? injuries? Going to the institution? Care, bonds, bullying and its effect? The separation of siblings?
5. Jack, his age, waking up, preparing the breakfast, everything for Manuel? The mother, her enjoying being with her sons? Jack hurrying, school? The outings, their mother’s friends, play in the park, going home, Jack waking, the mother and her sexual encounter, his confronting his mother, hungry, her being comfortable naked with her children, making him the food? The morning, all playing as if dogs? Jack and his clash with the partner, throwing his clothes over the balcony? The strong stance? Jack and his caring for Manuel, loving his mother, the episode with the boat, getting the branch to reach it, going home, the bath, the burns to Manuel’s legs?
6. Becki, the meeting with mother and children, the agreement, the mother changing her mind? Jack going to the institution? Meeting everyone, the meals, helping in the kitchen, Danilo and the girl and their brutality, punching and kicking Jack? His bruises? The episode with Marcus and the binoculars? Preparing for the holiday, his mother’s phone call, his having to stay? Going with Danilo to the lake, the invitation to the swim, and his trying to drown Jack, throwing the binoculars in the lake, Jack trying to find them? Hitting Danilo with the branch, leaving, returning, Danilo gone, his fears, going home?
7. The mother, her being away, virtually abandoning her children, her continued promises? Jack and his searching for Manuel, going to Kati in the bakery, her apartment and the brutal man? Going to Jonas, his help in understanding, letting Jack do work with the cars? Yet Jack wanting to go by himself?
8. Jack and Manuel wandering the city, sleeping in the car, ousted by the supervisor? Leaving notes about the key for his mother, never looking at them? Sleeping on the benches? In the public transport? Going to the shop, stealing the binoculars, the chase? Losing Manuel? His being at home? Stealing the sugar and milk from the diner? Going home, the light on, the mother happy to see them, giving them food, talking about her new partner?
9. Jack and his making the decision, in the night, taking Manuel, returning to the institution? Saying ‘Its Jack’ and the response, ‘Who?’.
