CB: Given that he's worked with some of the best directors on the planet both on the screen and stage, Philip Seymour Hoffman would seem a natural to step behind the camera. But with the quirky and moribund Jack Goes Boating Hoffman flails wildly, telling a story about unlikeable people living in grim New York apartments who are only interesting due to the bizarre and implausible things they to do improve their lives. It's an adaptation of a play by Bob Glaudini that wears its theatrical roots poorly, taking little advantage of New York scenery or the power of the camera to tell this slight story.
The Electronic Farmyard writes:
'This week’s releases boast a heady mix of horror, American independents, a sentimental father and son story and a Spartan preacher with a machine gun. Here’s this week’s Knotted Fur…'
David Weaver from Home And Theater writes: This week we look at the stage play turned independent film "Jack Goes Boating" which is also noteworthy for being Philip Seymour Hoffman's directorial debut. Next up is Rob Corddry's paintball Mockumentary "Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story". Our final and main discussion is for the Coen brothers 2010 western remake "True Grit" with both Miguel and myself agree that newcomer Hailee Steinfeld steals the show from everyone involved. Featured music this week is from the "True Grit" motion picture soundtrack.
David Weaver from Home And Theater writes: Jack Goes Boating is the feature film directorial debut of Mr. Philip Seymour Hoffman, a film based off the stage play of the same name written by Bob Glaudini (both him and Hoffman collaborated on the film's screenplay). Hoffman is one of those rare leading men where he doesn't have the good looks or physicality that most other leading actors depend on but he still pulls it off each and every time he is up for bat. Whether he plays a crazy hipster in Twister, a self loathing sex addict in Happiness or a ruthless villain in Mission Impossible 3 he has always commanded the screen with every word he utters. While he is well beyond a proven actor with an Oscar to show for it, I was intrigued to see what he could bring to a film from behind the camera as well as in front of it. So I picked up my set of oars and decided to go on a little boat trip with Jack & company to see what he had in store for me.
I love Hoffman's work. He's one of the better actors around today. Always enjoy seeing him. And like you, this movie has me curious to see how he does behind the camera in his directorial debut.
I think after this review, I might have to bump this one up to the top of my Netflix queue.
