Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sentimental
- family movie night
- nostalgic 1990s viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film's accelerated-aging premise and Robin Williams' childlike performance misjudged, overly sentimental, and lacking in momentum despite its talented cast.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jack is ten years old but looks forty because he ages four times faster than normal.
Jack enters public school as a child while his adult-looking body disrupts friendships, authority relationships, and romantic expectations.
Jack's parents must balance his desire for school and friendships against fears about how his condition will affect his life.
Robin Williams performs Jack's youthful emotions and behavior while made up and costumed to appear middle-aged.
Films like Jack, and why
Big
shared body-aging fantasy, fish-out-of-water comedy, and coming-of-age themes
13 Going on 30
shared family-friendly fantasy premise, adult-child identity tension, and sentimental tone
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
shared unconventional childhood premise, warm family drama, and outsider protagonist
Mrs. Doubtfire
shared Robin Williams-led comedy-drama, childlike perspective, and bittersweet emotional register
Movie Details
- Director
- Francis Ford Coppola
- Release Date
- 1996-08-09
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (1397)
Cast
- Robin Williams
- Diane Lane
- Brian Kerwin
- Jennifer Lopez
- Bill Cosby
- Fran Drescher
- Adam Zolotin
- Irwin Corey
- Jurnee Smollett-Bell
- Ashlee Lauren
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- 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 Jack about?
- A physically middle-aged ten-year-old navigates school, friendship, family protection, and the uneasy gap between appearance and identity.
- What is Jack like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Jack as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Jack violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Jack.
- What did critics think of Jack?
- Critics broadly found the film's accelerated-aging premise and Robin Williams' childlike performance misjudged, overly sentimental, and lacking in momentum despite its talented cast.
- Which films are like Jack?
- Films with a similar feel include Big, 13 Going on 30, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, and Mrs. Doubtfire.
- How long is Jack?
- Jack runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch Jack?
- In United States, Jack streams on Disney Plus.
