The only reason I had a watch of Jack and Sarah was the constant comments I kept reading about how Kevin Smith's Jersey Girl was little more than a remake of it. While there are certainly some similar plot points, on the whole though I would say that the two are entirely different. The best part though was finding a nice little film that I probably would have missed otherwise.
Walking the line between drama and comedy is not an easy one for any film. If you're trying to push serious themes, it becomes difficult to crack jokes at the same time. Likewise, a dramatic event in a comedic film can be a very jarring experience that works against the film. I'm glad to say though that Jack and Sarah balances between the two very steadily, only stumbling from time to time.
The film focuses on Jack (Richard E Grant), a London lawyer who is happily married to Sarah (Imogen Stubbs). She is pregnant, and I'm not giving away a huge spoiler to reveal that she dies during childbirth (this occurs in the first 15 minutes), leaving Jack to raise the baby (also named Sarah) by himself. He doesn't have a clue what to do and tries to avoid his responsibilities by letting his parents and stepmother deal with the baby. Eventually they have enough and force him to look after her himself, which sees Jack employ an American nanny (Samantha Mathis) against his parents wishes, and, well, you can probably see where all of this is leading.
Yes, it's formulaic, but when a film is this much fun, who really cares? While the plot follows a simple structure, there are enough off-beat elements to give the film a unique edge. Take for example William (Ian McKellen), a homeless man who Jack finds in his skip who takes it upon himself to become his butler. Or the scene where in an attempt to get his car unclamped, Jack jumps onto the side of the clampers van and ends up going for a ride down the street, all while shouting (and throwing money) at the driver to turn round and remove the clamp. These little elements don't make up the bulk of the story, but they make the film all the more enjoyable.
The characters themselves are an odd bunch, again something that enhances the film. Richard E Grant is a strange choice for a romantic lead, but he manages to pull it off, despite constantly looking like he's going to explode with anger at any moment. Ian McKellen is fantastic as William, giving a touch of a class to a character that would only usually be there to be laughed at. All of the parents (including Judi Dench) also fill their roles sufficiently as well, and are given a good amount of screentime, which is nice for what are relatively minor character. The only weak link, as much as it pains me to say it, comes in the form of Samantha Mathis as Amy. She was excellent in Pump Up The Volume, one of my favorite films, but just doesn't seem to fit here. Her performance in itself isn't terrible, it just doesn't seem to mesh with anyone elses at all. Her scenes with Jack on the whole lack the kind of spark that really is required in a film of this nature.
While I'm on the flaws of the film, I may as well address the soundtrack, which is one of the most horrendous things that I have ever heard. I'm sure that it seemed like a good idea in 1995, but now it just feels so incredibly dated, with such 90s friendly radio fodder as Simply Red, East 17, Gabrielle, and worst of all, the Lighthouse Family, whom I counted in the film no less than three times.
Don't let these things put you off though, as minor quibbles aside, Jack and Sarah is an engaging, interesting, and often hilarious film that nicely walks the line between comedy and drama. It's pretty much the quirky elements that make it though. Without them, it would have been just another Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral) film, and the world really doesn't need any more of those.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Awww I liked this film. Perfect for a week night sitting around doing nothing :-) K xxx
FC_Goat 11.09.2004 18:44
I haven't seen this and to be honest the plot synopsis doesn't grab me...but if you (and so many other people) say its that good then I might have to hunt it out. xxx
bubbletown 11.09.2004 15:02
I like Richard E Grant and this was an enjoyable film! Sid x
The story of a father and baby daughter, 1995'sJack and Sarahis the best cinematic ... more
depiction of what came to be known as "the 90s man". No matter how bad things get we know Richard E Grant will eventually learn to get in touch with his feelings and exp...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The story of a father and baby daughter, 1995'sJack and Sarahis the best cinematic ... more
depiction of what came to be known as "the 90s man". No matter how bad things get we know Richard E Grant will eventually learn to get in touch with his feelings and exp...
Postage & Packaging: £2.69 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The story of a father and baby daughter, 1995'sJack and Sarahis the best cinematic ... more
depiction of what came to be known as "the 90s man". No matter how bad things get we know Richard E Grant will eventually learn to get in touch with his feelings and exp...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 1 to 3 weeks...
Jack (Richard E. Grant) has it all - a perfect marriage, a successful career and a dream ... more
home. But his world crumbles when his wife dies giving birth to their daughter Sarah. Even though he is struggling to cope with his broken heard and a new-born bab...
![Jack And Sarah (1995) [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78521467.jpg "Jack And Sarah (1995) [DVD]")
![Jack And Sarah [VHS] [1995]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/83949602.jpg "Jack And Sarah [VHS] [1995]")
Aug 25th, 2004
very helpful by (100%):
