My Boy Jack (2007)

The Age of Commercialism

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

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

I found this on DVD from my public library.David Haig, who stars as Rudyard Kipling, is one of the Kipling experts. He has studied him, wrote and starred in the stage play, and now credited as the writer and star for this, the movie. All of it is fact-based and, considering Haig's participation, likely to be very close to what actually happened.Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter fame) was about 18 during filming and he plays the son, Jack Kipling, who was 17, about to turn 18. The times were tense in 1914 and Germany was threatening the peace in Europe and the British Isles. When the King of England declared war, the rush was on to get as many able-bodied men in the service, the survival of England depended on it.Jack was a peculiar case because he had very poor uncorrected vision, and the military was reluctant to take him. But dad, the famous author, pulled strings and young Jack was trained as an infantry officer.Young Jack was a brave and competent soldier, unfortunately he and most other were obliterated in a battle in France. But the story of Jack and his bravery, in the face of strained family dynamics is a good one. Kim Cattrall is good as the American wife and mother, Caroline Kipling. And Carey Mulligan is good as the older sister, Elsie Kipling.

David Haig wrote and starred as Rudyard Kipling in 'My Boy Jack', a drama about the brief life of John Kipling, who went to war despite his appalling eyesight and died in the trenches as a teenager.Jack is played by Daniel Radcliffe, who carried all the baggage of being better known as Harry Potter - however his performance is understated, moving, and well crafted. He also has a resemblance to Haig which makes it all the more convincing that they are father and son.The real revelation of this drama though is the casting of Kim Cattrall, Sex and the City's Samantha Jones, as Jack's mother - she is brilliant and this film proves she really can act.The film presents the realities of war without sentiment, and also does justice to the reputation and work of Kipling. Excellent viewing.

Although it starts out with author Rudyard Kipling as a gung-ho imperialist, there is redemption in its final scenes as he realizes the consequences of his pride. As said, it is an excellent film in all respects: acting, especially by David Haig as Rudyard Kipling, who also wrote the screenplay equally impressively. The music score by Adrian Johnston is both rich and somber and ultimately moving. The cinematography is stunningly beautiful and the art direction is brilliant and gritty. Daniel Radcliffe (John 'Jack' Kipling) is more than Harry Potter and shows his acting chops here, as do Kim Cattrall (Caroline Kipling), Carey Mulligan (Elsie 'Bird' Kipling) and Martin McCann (Bowe of the Irish Guard), who relates the details of what happened to Jack. This is an entertaining message movie.

Saw this movie on PBS, in passing one day at my girlfriend's apartment (she doesn't have cable, so you make do.) What initially caught my eye about this movie was the fact that Dan Ratcliffe was in it. Harry Potter? Trying to do a break out role, perhaps so.However, in all seriousness this was quite a good movie. Though parts were conflicting at times I found myself getting into this film. Specifically because you never see many good World War I movies. In my opinion Daniel Ratcliffe succeeds in breaking from his role as the wand waving wizard and takes on the role of as young Leftenant Jack Kipling. And yet the main message is a bit confusing. His mother and father, plus Bert, have mixed feelings about him going to war and in the end you see that they come to accept it, cause they have to. Still what are we to understand as the end message? War is neither honorable nor glamorous? Don't believe in Nationalism? Be all you can be? Momma's don't let your boys grow up to be British soldiers?Still it was a good film to see.