You Don't Know Jack

source: You Don't Know Jack

I cannot remember any film about a character of real Life or just a character that does not come from the comics where an actor has used false ears to play the role, especially when his original ears are not that much different in the first Place (but different enough for me to spot it). Was it Pacino's commitment to the role or was it an acquirement by the director or some other people - that, of course, I do not know. Most people don't spot the ears and for most people putting on false ears was totally unnecessary. Nevertheless this is what I Think is most staggering in this performance.

This is one of those rare hi-impact, makes-you-squirm-while-watching films that cannot be reviewed on its own without commenting on the underlying social issues. So here we go: THE MOVIE Directed by Barry Levinson (one of the top directors of the last century) and starring one of the top actors of the last century giving one of the best performances of his career (understated and self-aware, NOT the over-the-top Pacino we have come to expect) ... was there ever any doubt? The only oddity that this reviewer found is that Pacino's agency still uses 40-year-old photos of him in their PR kits, so a novice (think, alien film reviewer from another planet) looking at this film for the first time might spend the length of the film trying to find the lead actor identified in the kit ... and never locate him. Brilliant, touching, revealing, and horrifying. In other words, a perfect reflection of what passes for intelligent civilization in our world. THE SOCIAL GESTALT For the first time, the script makes it clear that the lawyers acting for the state TOOK IT AS A PERSONAL AFFRONT that Dr. K was so forthright about what he had done ... and why ... and MADE IT THEIR PERSONAL MISSION to bring him down ... and USED A TECHNICALITY IN THE LAW (adjusting the indictment to a one narrow charge, a charge which could not be defended by a full look at the surrounding facts, as one might otherwise expect in a capital case). Which pretty much summarizes how our Justice system works. Forget the theories they teach in law school, forget the statue of the lady with the blindfold over her eyes, when they REALLY WANT TO GET YOU, they are going to get you.

At the height of his infamy, Jack Kevorkian was called 'Doctor Death' on the cover of Time magazine. You Don't Know Jack stars Al Pacino as Jack Kevorkian. A pathologist and supporter of euthanasia. Frustrated by the suffering faced by the elderly and the terminally ill. He argued that those who had their life support machines switched off faced a slow agonising death where they were starved to death. Kevorkian invented a Thanatron machine. A device consisting of tranquilizers, sedatives and poisons pumped into his patients that wanted to die. Assisting him were his friend Neal (John Goodman) or his sister Margo (Brenda Vaccaro.) It is said that Kevorkian assisted in the suicides of over 130 patients. The state of Michigan did not take his activities lying down. Kevorkian was tried four times for assisting suicides and was acquitted by a jury three times, with a mistrial declared on one occasion. His dogged lawyer Geoffrey Fieger (Danny Huston) did his utmost to keep him out of jail and seem to enjoy the publicity himself. Director Barry Levinson made this film for cable television. However he treats this like a provocative documentary drama, a film to arouse debate. Pacino shows Jack Kevorkian as uncompromising, determined and rough around the edges. A fiery man who can easily fall out with friends and relatives. He appears to be a hard man to like. The film might be a little too sympathetic to Kevorkian. The people against him are painted as the usual religious right to life mob. Maybe a more intelligent counter-argument should had been made against his views.

Seriously. What's You Don't Know Jack Doing on TV? It should get a chance on a the big screen. With dynamo performances by Al Pacino (in his best role in a decade), John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and a performance worthy of an Academy Award Supporting Actress award by Brenda Vaccaro as Jack Kevorkian's sister, this is one hot piece of cinema. The direction and production value are also top notch in this disturbing true story that will leave you debating in your own mind. Is it a story about a serial killer or is it a story about compassion? Al Pacino is truly superb. He hasn't been this into his character since Scent of a Woman. This is a great film. If you enjoy big character driven biopics with memorable performances this will be your lethal injection, uh, I mean cup of tea.

YOU DON'T KNOW JACK is just a remake of half the celebrity biopix since THE JOLSON STORY. An admirable man courageously lives his dream, but his intentness of purpose comes with the disadvantage of personal isolation, a failure to achieve intimacy. This movie includes no meaningful focus on why assisted suicide is a controversial topic. Everyone in favor of it is good, good, good. Everyone against it is bad, bad, bad. There are only two points where admiration of Kevorkian might falter. One is when, despite not being qualified, he tries to defend himself in court. At that point, your admiration swings over to Pacino for putting in such a performance as the frustrated old man, his virtue of self-confidence and self-reliance revealing itself as a classical tragic flaw. The second flaw we see in Kevorkian is that he likes to paint grotesque, macabre paintings. What does that say about his attitude toward bringing death to his patients? You'd think it raises a question about his inner motivations, but not a single character makes the connection. Some don't like the paintings, one does like the paintings and in that way vindicates them to the audience, and the subject is dropped. All in all, aside from the spotlight on Pacino, the movie has nothing to offer but comfortable reassurance for those who believe in assisted suicide and closed-minded scorn for those who see another side to the issue as well.

Confession: I have long been a fan of Jack Kevorkian, and believed in his cause. Yes, he does walk a thin line at times, and raises some ethical issues, but his general point always seemed sound to me. Here is the first film on his life (at least the part that we care about) that merits watching. It tells the whole story, does it very effectively, and gives us one of the best Al Pacino roles in years. Also, we learn more about his friend Neil and his attorney, both of whom were always played down in the news. Although the film runs a bit on the long side, and could possibly be trimmed by ten minutes, I really enjoyed it. Pacino should be proud, and Kevorkian himself could ask of no greater portrayal of his work.

HBO for one has always been the champion and best king of all-time when it comes to showing original movies, and once again they delivered a gripping and touching docudrama that will long stand in memory. Al Pacino who is always brilliant delivers once again a stand up and cheer for performance(the same way he did with his last HBO work as right wing republican closeted homosexual attorney Roy Cohn who died of AIDS). Pacino who was made to look just like Dr. Jack! Captures the man's movements and actions just perfect and so wonderfully done is his take of Kevorkian's proper northern Michigan accent. Still at the same time Pacino plays this character with some mystery as clearly the role didn't call for any showing off. Directed by Barry Levinson(who did the award winning 1988 "Rain Man")this is a film in my opinion was a Dr. Jack against the world attitude. As clearly while watching this docudrama which is blended in with some real life media interviews of Jack's like the ones with Mike Wallace and Barbara Walters you get the feel that this film is a good cultural flash of somewhat of a media circus. Still most telling is the stubbornness of Jack as his desire to provide alternative deaths for the terminally ill outweighs anything else the films shows. It starts in the early 1990's in Michigan as Dr. Jack Kevorkian(Al Pacino)who's bored and living like a lonely hermit with his creepy art drawings and enjoyment of watching Bugs and Tweety cartoons. All of a sudden Jack has an ideal to take the medical community by storm should I say a death storm, he wants to start assisted suicides to the sick and terminally ill and also for those who don't want to live no more. Dr. Jack is aided and supported by his sister Margo(Brenda Vaccaro)and buddy Neal(John Goodman)and enter the outspoken advocate Susan Sarandon who plays euthanasia crusader and right to die advocate Janet Good. Along the way in a compelling and gripping fashion Kevorkian and his friends carry out death after death of those with terminal cancer, MS, the crippled, the depressed and many others who have deadly diseases. And along the way this man who feels so passionate about it he even records speeches and the actual passing away of his victims. One by one "Dr Death" gets America's attention which stirs up controversy in Michigan from the religious right and state politicians and county legislatures. Gradually the film drifts into more of a courtroom drama asking what is morally right or wrong? It's interesting and entertaining to see an old fart fight stubbornly till the age of 79. So no matter your take on euthanasia(even though this film is pro argument for it)"You Don't Know Jack" is a lovable story that is sold wonderful from the great performances especially Al's who's right on the money and believable as "Dr. Death". It's really a great biography that educated us about the life and stubbornness of Jack Kevorkian, while at the same time an interesting, compelling and dark outspoken anti-hero docudrama that makes some want to feel grim and others want to cheer depending on what side of the aisle they take on the issue. A must see film that's controversial, historical and cultural.

As a movie, it's boring. As a story, it glorifies a questionable man and deals with a sensitive theme without any delicacy. The benefit of the doubt about the morality of Kevorkian's actions is gone with patient number 1: no way she was terminal, she was just diagnosed with Alzhaimer and still very fine. Secondly, the closing speech of the judge is all you have to know about how law works in a civil society. This movie is a despicable piece of political propaganda, rather than a well-rounded presentation of the theme of euthanasia.

Although parts of this biopic of Jack Kevorkian is interesting, it's as dull as any propaganda can be. Al Pacino is decent in the lead role, but in playing a famous (or infamous) person the director is obviously praising... and the fact Al looks, and sounds, so much like the real thing... it's more of a one-note impersonation than reality. The good guys, including Jack and his cohorts, are proud, enlightened and flawless; while the bad guys aren't the big stalking media who named him "Doctor Death," but a small fraction of over-the-top Christians: the only group Hollywood's allowed to demonize... with gusto. Yet, no matter how intrusively biased, the direction by Barry Levinson does flow decently enough.