Review of The Jacket (2005) by Jordan L — 21 Feb 2013

Interesting premise with a strong cast (I particularly enjoyed Craig and Brody), and style.

Sadly, there's more wrong than right. There's a damning failure to convey the dark tone here and I think this is the main downfall of this film- aside from Brody's fear-filled outbursts during treatment, there's really nothing there to convey the dark eeriness that the film is going for. It successfully creates the tone visually and also with the score- the acting talent is also able to handle it but the script is the main failing here- it creates such a disconnect- one so obvious that there is no overlooking the failures as it makes them stick out like a sore thumb.

The combination of the disappointingly weak and sub-standard script (which eventually amounts to nothing more than the most basic of crime-thriller plotlines with sci-fi cliches) and the dark underlying subject matters, visuals, sounds and performances makes for a particularly drudging viewing experience. The potential is so clear through the good elements that the failure to make use of it by depending on bad elements makes the mistakes here even more damaging.

It all creates the persona of a film that's trying to trick you- it'll tell you it's insightful and unique but it won't have any proof and in reality it'll just be mundane and frustrating.

Despite these downsides though the film is certainly watchable- the failed attempt to convey an edgy tone to an otherwise very typical film still adds something to keep you engaged. The cast also make good use of the little that's there- I didn't spot a weak performance throughout and it's great to see Brody's interactions with Craig, Kristofferson and Knightley. The dialogue may not be engaging but the acting is.

Also, from a strictly sci-fi perspective this film plays about with a known formula in a relatively interesting way even if the film itself turns out to be interesting only as a study of failed potential.

Overall, it has to be rotten but if one can overlook the flaws (I simply could not) then this one could very well appeal to them. Maybe as a time-killing film- one that's just on for some quick entertainment, this movie could be a satisfying watch- the flaws wouldn't be quite so distracting if one didn't pay full attention when watching the film. A film like this one is clearly trying for more though and it should be more but sadly, it's not.