I Don't Know Jack (2002) User Reviews

Now I *do* know Jack

[craigjclark · 8/10 · 6 April 2002]

Chris Leavens' documentary takes as its subject Jack Nance, star of "Eraserhead" and supporting player in many of David Lynch's other films. Nance's story is told almost entirely through interviews with his family, friends and colleagues, interspersed with clips from many of his films (some of which are more well-known than others). What emerges is a portrait of a complicated man whose self-destructive tendencies sometimes outweighed his creative gifts. It's also frequently funny, as the interview subjects recount some of the more outlandish (but still plausible) stories of his life, right up to the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death.

"I Don't Know Jack" is a fitting tribute to an underrated and under-appreciated actor. It is a must for all fans of David Lynch and Jack Nance.

Eulogy for a charismatic, likable, and disturbed performer

[mstomaso · 8/10 · 21 November 2006]

Chances are, if you're interested in this film you already know who Jack Nance was on film. The man behind the intense characterizations was no Pete Martell, Iakin Nefud or even a Henry Spencer. Even to his closest friends, Jack was always a bit of a mystery - living as he did - between hard liquor, reality and his own private world. Despite his troubles, this film eulogy shows that he was very deeply loved and respected by many.

The film is a series of interview clips which, in impressive detail, paint a portrait of Jack from fairly early in his career to his unfortunate death. Fans of his films will be pleased by familiar colleagues David Lynch, Catherine Coulson (Jack's first wife) and Leo Bulgarini. The interviews are very well edited and penetrating - providing an opportunity to get to know the tragic and sympathetic man behind the intense characters. The film is straightforwardly put together, and the interviews are interrupted occasionally by film clips and very brief voice-over presentations. The film is a eulogy, not a documentary and offers nothing fancy.

Although respectful, I Don't Know Jack doesn't gloss over Jack's problems, and does not portray him as anything but a talented and troubled man. Nevertheless, it does tend to dampen some of the spectacle that surrounds his death with a healthy dose of honest narrative.

As a fan of his work, I can say that I got exactly what I wanted out of this film, and can recommend it to anybody interested in Jack. If you don't know who Jack Nance is, I strongly recommend seeing some of his films (especially those directed by David Lynch) before you consider seeing this.