Jack (2023) Film Review
I love comedy. It’s a genre that allows you to disconnect from everything with a few lines and a good story. At least when it’s well done. Few comedians and few comedy writers are able to accomplish the objective of making you laugh with tears with simple storylines that are believable up to a point. Nevertheless, modern comedy hasn’t progressed so much beyond its set of rules, and the politically correct contract you have to follow when making jokes. Dirty comedies don’t exist anymore and when a film toys with the idea of being raunchy, I can’t help but feel interest.
With Jack‘s premise I didn’t have a problem. This is a comedy that in its first minute reveals exactly what it’s about and narrates its simple premise. The premise is too basic but solid: a sexually frustrated young man whose penis is able to break the fourth wall and… communicate. Yes, it’s a dirty comedy but it holds back when it has to. Regardless, it should have checked every item on the list.
The problem is that every joke’s been done and in any way possible. Its story is well written, but the setting is simply repetitive with jokes that are told over and over until you feel like someone ran out of ideas.
The story is about Charlie, a young man whose age is hard to determine. When his friends show up, it’s even harder to understand if they’re going to school or college. Charlie lives with his mother, and his penis can talk. Jack is its name and we in the audience are the ones who can hear its punchlines. Clearly, the penis just wants to get laid, but Charlie’s social performance isn’t the best. A contact with a therapist and his friends and a different kind of helper, don’t do much for him. He falls for the new girl in school (or college).
This is indie cinema that doesn’t look like indie cinema. The film’s very well-shot but unfortunately, the script falls apart with a comedy tone that’s not compelling or funny. Luke Rollason as Charlie does a good job at first because his expression is cinematic. But there’s a moment where his frowns and frustrated glances and voice don’t add anything to his journey. There’s a limit and it’s crossed constantly for the sake of dirty comedy not done right.
Nevertheless, it has its moments. The grandmother character is extremely funny, and the psychologist feels authentic. Stick around until the end and some notes will reveal the fate of each character and they’re also funny.
