MovieChat Forums > Jack the Bear (1993) Discussion > What kind of screenplay is that ?

What kind of screenplay is that ?

posted 13 years ago by The_Lord_Of_Movies
4 replies | jump to latest

Hey guys,

First you have to know that I really liked that movie, that is not the point.

I just thought that it took a strange turn... suddendly..

We're into this family that lost the mum, John is a clown on tv, his 2 sons are home with him, they have argues, great moments, Jack the oldest son is falling in love with that all cute girl (played by Witherspoon), they live in a nice neighborhood, even if 1 particular neighbour seems weird but the whole history is okay, very nice to follow.

It happens to be a drama but it suddenly turns into a kind of Thriller, all being around this weird neighbour (played by Sinise) who kidnapps John's younger son Dylan and then the movie turns into a nightmarish stuff... Was it to remind the kids/parents to beware of the neighbours, strangers ?

Later on the movie comes back & ends with the family drama touch again... what is that ? :-p

I really liked it anyway because DeVito did an excellent job IMO, the whole movie is very touching.

Give me your opinion please.

Have a good day.

*Lord of Movies*

I miss the 90's !!!

[–] too_rad 13 years ago

Yeah the events did seem really random. All kind of starting when ol' Danny Devito got drunk and called out Lt. Dan. I love the movie but I don't have an explanation for ya haha.

In Nomine Patris et Filis, et Spiritus Sancti

[–] JRichardSingleton 12 years ago

I saw this movie over 15 years ago, but, yeah. That was a strange twist.

Only indie films can be quiet dramas. Hollywood wants then loud.

[–] aworgill 11 years ago

I found this a really frustrating movie. It's two-thirds of a great movie, with some really schizophrenic stuff. The subplot with Reese Witherspoon doesn't make sense, and more importantly, the real-life "monster" isn't explained at all. He's a Nazi, and just decides to make Jack's family's life hell? Um, okay...

[–] sixpackrt 11 years ago

I haven't read it but this film was based on a novel. Novels seem to have a way of pulling things off that movies cannot certainly, at least, in terms of shifting tone. A gifted novelist has more of an oppurtunity to steer us in a certain direction. I'm guessing that the novel was not a thriller about a boy whose brother is kidnapped but a panorama of a bunch of things that happen in the titular boys' life. I remember Siskel and Ebert calling the film out for exactly the reason you guys are talking about. I think it still has enough good moments in it and it is a movie that has always stuck with me over the years though I don't own it and only see occasionally.

"I've seen things in this city that make Dante's Inferno read like Winnie The Pooh."