MATCHING JACK (REVIEW)
Rated
M 103 minutes
James Nesbitt, Jacinda Barrett, Richard Roxburgh, Yvonne Strahovski,
Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tom Russell, Krista Vendy
Australian films
may have a not so good reputation at times, but I am happy to report this wonderful
drama is not only memorable, it will stir mixed emotions until long after the
final credits roll.
The impact of 'Matching Jack' takes the
viewer into a personal journey of happiness and sadness, all thanks to the obvious
passion of director, Nadia Tass ('Pure Luck', 'The Big Steal'). Living in Melbourne,
life is rosy for Marisa Hagen (Jacinda Barrett), a doting mother to a young son,
Jack and loving wife to a successful businessman, David. Things change very quickly
when during a regular junior soccer match, the normally fit Jack struggles to
finish the match. Alert to a problem, Marisa takes him for a check up at the doctor.
This in-turn reveals an unfortunate diagnosis. Jack has a form of leukemia and
is put straight into hospital care.
David is out of town at
a supposed conference and cannot be contacted. As it turns out, he is conducting
an affair in which Marisa accidently finds out about. This is only one of many
scheming liaisons the philandering David has been in during their married years.
The traumatic life of Marisa continues to spiral out of control, especially when
doctors say that Jack needs a compatible bone marrow donor fast, or a recovery
may result in consequences of the worst kind.
As a last resort,
Marisa goes through her despicable husband's office and discovers a black book.
It contains highlighted names that may just be the list of David's multiple mistresses.
Desperate measures make for some uncomfortable moments. Marisa goes door knocking
and faces unsuspecting women with children that David may have conceived, in order
to find a possible bone marrow match. The reactions from some of the ladies are
priceless.
Meanwhile, Jack makes friends with fellow patient
Finn. They become close in more ways than one and retain a sense of humour. Marisa
and Connor embark on their own uplifting companionship bringing them to a commonplace
to stay strong. Jacinda Barrett displays a magnificent sensitive turn as Marisa.
She is heartfelt, but never soft when looking for offspring as a possible saviour
for her son.
Australian star of US series 'Chuck', Yvonne
Strahovsky, is distinguished, but appropriately low key as the current mistress,
while James Nesbitt as Connor, grounds the film's darker moments. His crafting
of ship figureheads adds a unique touch to proceedings. As the cancer stricken
boys, both Kodi Smit McPhee (last seen in the horrid apocalyptic drama, 'The Road')
as Finn and Tom Russell as Jack, will bring tears to your eyes with their honest
portrayals. Smit McPhee especially, is an enigma.
The human
spirit is alive and well, in all kinds of diversity, as this fine film exhumes.
Shane A. Bassett
