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THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT – The SLIFF 2013 Review
Review by Dana Jung
Families have a way of defining us. Who we are, what we feel, the choices we make; all these things can be traced to the quality (or lack thereof) in our family life. The new film THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT tells heartfelt and sometimes humorous story that reverberates throughout with themes on the impact and importance of the people we call family.
To all the world, Jack (E.J. Bonilla) has it all. He runs a successful business, has a pretty girlfriend (Melissa Fumero), and owns the nice high rise apartment building that his extended family and friends live in. However, Jack’s idealistic dreamworld is beginning to crumble down around him: his parents (Saundra Santiago and John Herrera) constantly fight, mostly because his father is an alcoholic; his sister is about to come out as lesbian; his girlfriend is starting to pressure him to get married; his brother—a brand new dad—is also having marital troubles; and his “business” is actually dealing drugs, and is getting challenged by a rival that may end up in a turf war. At times stubborn and hotheaded, Jack is feeling the weight of his family pressing on him at a time when he really needs freedom of action. In one tense scene, Jack delays going to a meeting (which he feels he must attend armed) as family members stand around, because he is too embarrassed and secretive about his “work” to retrieve the weapon in front of them.
Director Henry Barrial tells Jack’s story with a lot of handheld and closeups that involve us directly in the characters. Jack’s family lends new meaning to the term “volatile” and Barrial’s direction effectively captures both the tender moments, and the scenes of explosive violence. Working with a largely unkown cast, Barrial also seamlessly weaves a lot of funny sequences into all the drama, in scenes almost anyone who’s ever been at a family gathering can relate to. Fumero (currently seen on TVs BROOKLYN NINE NINE) is a pure representation of conscience and morality, as well as being the attractive love interest. Astute viewers may also recognize the face belonging to Saundra Santiago, who is outstanding as Jack’s mother—and who is familiar to fans of 80s TV as Elena on MIAMI VICE.
But this is Jack’s story all the way, and as Jack, E.J. Bonilla guides the film with a commanding performance as he absorbs all the pain–and some happy times—as the defacto leader of his clan. The way the film begins and ends with a party, the scenes of Catholic ritual, and the story’s themes of familial sacrifice, all bring to mind the great classic movie about family, THE GODFATHER. It is a testament to THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT that it can be compared in that light, for its timeless messages about how, even if you don’t choose your family, sometimes they choose you—and can even change you.
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT plays Monday night, November 18th at 8:30 and Tuesday night, November 19th at 9:15 as part of the St. Louis International Film Festival. Both screenings at the The Plaza Frontenac Theater.
More ticket information, visit Cinema St. Louis’ site HERE
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