danlizard
I found the characterisation in this film rather odd. Too many times, the central characters acted very strangely and it felt like the script had been written in stages by several different writers. The acting was poor in places too - you could tell the girls were cast for their looks, not their acting ability... which turned out to be a bit of a wasted opportunity because we never really got to see anything. Shame, cos it probably would have been worth the money if we did. The storyline's a bit weak too - and the ending was terrible contrived and oh-so-slightly unbelievable. Eric Cantona was good though. If only he had a bigger part... Still, despite all this, it was much better than Churchill: The Hollywood Years.
colinhawksby
I'm not sure what it is with indie film-makers that they all want to make films about cockney wannabe gangsters.In the last few days I've watched Ten Dead Men and this. Ten Dead Men was a martial arts movie that looked as though it was filmed on a mobile phone but contained some amazing action scenes. Jack Says has more of a brain. Based on a comic (?)it begins, like 10 Dead Men, with the scene of someone being tied up and tortured by thugs. Apparently all low budget films have to have this.The set up is interesting..Jack wakes up surrounded by dead bodies with no memory.OK so its Jason Bourne but a good idea is worth stealing.. the problem is that eventually you have to stop leaving clues and solve things.This is where most films fail and JS is no different.Too many coincidences, quirky bits that seem out of place.The photography looks good, the costumes, music and locations are good which makes the film look more expensive than it probably is.The film would have earned more than 3/10 if it had better actors.The idea of Jack as a fearsome force in the underworld, or an undercover cop is ridiculous.He is short and pudgy. I'm sure there are lots of short plump hard men but the guy playing Jack doersn't work at all. When he keeps his shirt on in the love scene to hide his spare tyre you know something is wrong.He is dull and seems to be reciting his scenes rather than acting them.The girl who plays Jack's girlfriend is pretty.She is a better actor than Jack but still not quite good enough. The french singer is plain and can't sing. MIke Reid as a hardman???? Could have been a good film but needs better actors
Knarlinggrimbob
As a fan of film noir and graphic novels, I had to see this film, so I went to Swansea when it was on at the film festival. I'm glad I did.I'd already read the prequel graphic novel Jack Said, so I guess I kind of had an advantage over the rest of the audience, as I knew the back story. I'm pleased to say the film was as good as the comic.The lead, Simon Phillips, reminded me at times of a mix between Daniel Craig and Clive Owen, and the female lead Rita Ramnani was great as the... I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say it's nice to see someone actually portray emotions rather than just pouting (Knightly, I'm looking in your direction). The french girl who played Girl X was really good too.This was such a great story with a REALLY good twist that I genuinely never saw coming. Mike Reid was excellent as The Guvnor and I'm glad his character features in the graphic novel Jack Said too.
Colin Ridemore
This film is one of the UK's best indie features to come out in a long time, and Guy Ritchie had better watch out - because these guys have got plenty of raw talent to back everything up! Not to sure about the detective character in the film, but then perhaps I am not meant to be sure about him - there's a lot going on in here! Stunning women, extreme violence and Mike Reid and Eric Cantona - can't really ask for a lot more from these guys really. I hear the film is based on a graphic novel entitled JACK SAID - but haven't read it as yet! But will do after seeing this excellent first time effort from Bob Phillips - I take it that it is his first time, as I couldn't find anything else online about him? All in all good stuff.