Jack *** (1996, Robin Williams, Diane Lane) – Classic Movie Review 1540

Robin Williams rejoices in the custom-made role of Jack, a boy with a rare aging disorder that causes him to age four times faster than he should. So at 10, he looks 40, and has troubles fitting in when he has to go to school and enters the fifth grade.

Williams is effortlessly amusing in quite a sweet, simple, sentimental comedy, with polished, assured handling and a good-looking production – though James DeMonaco and Gary Nadeau’s screenplay could have pushed much harder and have been far sharper.

This 1996 release is entertaining enough, but it’s a bit of an aberration in the career of director Francis Ford Coppola. Diane Lane, Brian Kerwin, Jennifer Lopez and Bill Cosby co-star. Up to 2014, this is Cosby’s most recent cinema release.

Jack’s condition is a exaggerated for the film but is a real illness, known as Werner Syndrome.

Coppola gave Williams camping gear to spend the night in his backyard and $10 to spend at Toys R Us before shooting the film.

Tragically dear Robin Williams was found dead in his home in Tiburon, California, on Monday August 11 2014, aged 63. The cause of death is believed to be suicide via asphyxiation. He had been battling depression and recently entered 12-step rehab for drug abuse.  He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1997 for Good Will Hunting, and won two Emmys, four Golden Globes, five Grammys and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Mrs Doubtfire (1993)was perhaps his most enduring character. He was gearing up to reprise his role in a sequel.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1540

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