Parents' Guide to

Jack

By Lori Silberman Brauner, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Ten-year-old boy in 40-year-old body is a winner.

Movie PG-13 1996 113 minutes
Jack Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 7 parent reviews

bucketofporkythepig
bucketofporkythepig Adult
June 3, 2022
age 9+

Great movie, should be praised more

I have watched this movie countless times and it is, hands down, the best thing I have ever seen. Jack is a beautiful movie with a tear-jerking ending that is a great pick for kids and adults as well. There are some roadblocks, however, that cause it to be slightly unsuitable for children below 9. There is a lot of innuendo in the bar scene near the end of the movie that Jack doesn't understand and young kids watching it probably won't either. There is some coarse language (such as a--hole and b-tch) but it's nothing that a mature child couldn't handle. Also, there is just a bit of violence, such as when Jack gets in a fight with a man in a bar. Some small children also probably won't be able to handle the scene where Jack has a heart attack, because it can be very frightening at times. I'd say the only thing I don't particularly enjoy is the whole character of Dolores (or "D.D"). She is incredibly clingy with Jack and it is quite nauseating to watch a full grown adult caress a child who simply looks like he is older. Practically all of the scenes she is in are painstakingly uncomfortable to watch. In conclusion, most mature children above the age of 9 could watch this movie with no problems, but it can be very awkward at times.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Too much sex
mrsherby
mrsherby Parent of 10-year-old
May 20, 2022
age 12+

Robin Williams and Francis ford Coppola smush it together you get Jack.

This film is great although contains nudity and intense.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Born very prematurely, Jack (Robin Williams) suffers from a rare disease in which his body ages at four times the normal rate of development. At age 10, his appearance is that of a 40-year-old man. His parents keep him at home but finally agree to enroll him in school, where Jack initially is the butt of many cruel jokes. That soon changes once his peers note Jack's ability on the basketball court and his ability to purchase adult magazines. Ever the child in his light-up sneakers, Jack joins several boys in youthful antics. He also poses as a school principal to keep his best friend from getting in trouble. But the aging process soon catches up with Jack, and his parents pull him out of school out of fear for his health. A heartfelt talk with his esteemed tutor, Mr. Woodruff (Bill Cosby), convinces Jack to make the most of the time he has on this earth. The wise man deftly compares Jack to a "shooting star" -- fleeting yet beautiful in nature.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7):
Kids say (12):

Despite the distractions of inappropriate sexual behavior and profanity, JACK is essentially a family film with a moral message. Middle-school and high-school aged children will enjoy the many humorous scenes. Adults, too, will appreciate the message that a person does not have to lose one's child-like spark just because of the irreversible aging process.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the message the film attempts to deliver -- that one should make the most of the time one has on this earth and not to judge a person based on his age or initial appearance. These values can certainly serve as a springboard for a discussion about treating other people with respect and living for the present.

Movie Details

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