Overview
A controversial figure fights for the rights of the terminally ill in a society that fears death.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- serious
- provocative
- compassionate
- thoughtful viewing
- history night
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a compelling, well-acted biographical drama whose ethical seriousness is anchored by Al Pacino's performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jack Kevorkian's assisted-suicide campaign is presented through patients, allies, prosecutors, politicians, and courtroom consequences.
Kevorkian deliberately challenges Michigan law while the district attorney, governor, legislature, and courts respond.
Kevorkian behaves provocatively and anticly in court while remaining single-minded about patient autonomy.
The central conflict concerns terminally ill people seeking control over how their lives end.
Films like You Don't Know Jack, and why
The Insider
biographical drama about a controversial historical figure confronting legal and moral institutions, led by an intense central performance
Erin Brockovich
serious courtroom and ethical drama centered on an individual challenging entrenched American institutions
Recount
television biographical drama examining a polarizing public figure through moral conflict, media scrutiny, and legal consequences
The Sea Inside
thoughtful historical drama about end-of-life ethics, personal autonomy, and the limits of law
Movie Details
- Director
- Barry Levinson
- Release Date
- 2010-06-27
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (453)
Cast
- Al Pacino
- Danny Huston
- Susan Sarandon
- John Goodman
- Brenda Vaccaro
- Eric Lange
- James Urbaniak
- Rutanya Alda
- Delaney Williams
- Danielle McKee
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is You Don't Know Jack about?
- A fiercely committed physician turns assisted suicide into a public courtroom crusade over autonomy, law, and moral responsibility.
- What is You Don't Know Jack like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of You Don't Know Jack as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is You Don't Know Jack violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in You Don't Know Jack as mild.
- What did critics think of You Don't Know Jack?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a compelling, well-acted biographical drama whose ethical seriousness is anchored by Al Pacino's performance.
- Which films are like You Don't Know Jack?
- Films with a similar feel include The Insider, Erin Brockovich, Recount, and The Sea Inside.
- How long is You Don't Know Jack?
- You Don't Know Jack runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch You Don't Know Jack?
- In United States, You Don't Know Jack streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
