Jack & Sarah (1995)

Purely Joyful Movie!

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

This potentially heart-rending tale of one man's tragic loss and his attempt to go on with life is without the necessary emotional impact and dramatic power to really work. "Jack and Sarah" tries to encompass too many genres, swinging as it does from near satire to near pathos without warning, leaving the viewer more surprised than moved. Our writer/director Tim Sullivan appears to prepare us for an unorthodox comedy about starting a family, then hits us with a bombshell that causes the plot to make a complete about face. During the course of the film more about faces are incorporated (not blended) which serves only to tantalise, but not fulfil, the audience's emotions. Still, in this light it is something different - British of course - from the usual romantic-comedies being churned out these days.Richard E. Grant slides comfortably into the role of the dad who doesn't seem to know when he's on a good thing. A most enjoyable turn from an agreeable actor. In support of him is the evergreen Judi Dench, as his sour old mum, and Imogen Stubbs, as his tragic wife. Samantha Mathis is the other completely disarming lead, playing the young American lass who takes an immediate shining to baby Sarah, and promptly signs up as Jack's nanny.Certainly "Jack and Sarah" could have been an unforgettable, emotionally powerful drama. However the light, almost aloof manner that has been adopted here leaves a distinct British feel to this pic, but gives it no chance of becoming dramatically moving. Thankfully a change, yet falls short of its potential.Saturday, February 3, 1996 - Astor Theatre

I saw this film today, mainly to see Judi Dench,Ian McKellan and Elieen Atkins ( all 3 acting greats) in the same film. Ian and Elieen were in a off Broadway play (along with Ian McShane) in 1969. It ran 3 months. So its safe to say, Ian and Eileen are good friends from way back. I liked this film very much. I did wish Judi,Ian and Elieen had bigger parts. All three are cast well in their roles. Ian is a hoot. he is usually cast in more serious roles. A light fluffy bit of fun.The entire cast is good. The actor in the lead is quite good.The girl is good as well. Not a bad film at all.A nice way to spend 2 hours. Go check it out.

I spent an hour hoping this movie was going to finally get in gear before deciding it just wasn't going to happen. It has its moments, but the story is ridiculous, as are the actions of the characters, the humor is mild and the drama is maudlin. While the main problem is the drab script and pedestrian direction, the movie is also harmed by Mathis' performance. This is not to say that she is particularly bad, but she is not warm and loving and charming to make the film's absurd premise work. She seemed kind of ordinary, and that is exactly what the role does not call for. I like Grant, and he's decent in this, although I think he only really shines in more prickly roles. This just doesn't make it.

I just can't decide if I like this film or not. Some bits in it are totally sweet or funny or romantic, and others are just plain dull. I cannot warm to Richard E Grant at all. He remains stony faced throughout the whole film, whether he's supposed to be acting happy or sad. However Ian McKellen's performance as the tramp (who is just allowed in the house??) is fantastic, once you've got over the fact that Gandalf's beard is missing!!