Four Jacks

Palpably raw power marks the cinematography for this Australian made film that unfortunately fails to yield the required intimacy and scope from within its script as accompaniment for inventive visuals, although it is potent enough to have been granted top awards for film, actor, and male director during the 2001 Melbourne Underground Film Festival, specially gratifying as the piece was shot rapidly and with a wee budget. A variegated assortment of four young men is cajoled by a confidence man, Phil (David Serafin), into opening a "gourmet" restaurant in Melbourne, having persuaded them that healthy profits will soon be enjoyed by all; however, after two years of operation, including a reduction of gastronomic standards, the business is ostensibly losing money, until the quartet ultimately learns that Phil is deflecting partnership funds to himself. Although taking revenge upon glib Phil becomes foremost in the minds of his four victims, they discover that it will not be easily managed, and it appears that one of them might instead be ill-fated in the course of fulfilling their retaliatory plans, particularly as two years of disappointment with their business venture, in addition to a widely disparate mix of personalities, has brought about increasing dissension among them. This is after being a summary of the action, but the film is fundamentally an exercise in cinematic technique, utilizing red filters to separate parallel story lines and a great deal of elaborate post-production editing nicely grafts the tale together; unhappily, invasive scoring that at times overwhelms dialogue, and monochromatic script development for some of the parts, lessens the work's impact. Pacing is frenetic to an extreme, and by the time the expected "twist" ending arrives, some viewers may well be exhausted. Serafin is outstanding as the rascally Phil, gaining the acting laurels here, and all of the principals perform ably under skillful direction from Matthew George. The DVD release offers fine visual and audio quality, but provides no extra features other than a trailer.

Four Guys (Jacks) go into the restaurant business with a fifth Guy and lose all common sense. They allow themselves to be abused worse than textile workers at the turn of the century without simply leaving the situation. This is truly one of the worst films I have ever seen. I just hope I can resell this item to someone who might like it.

It is true that it holds your attention if you can let the illogical plot developments not bother you too much. It is very silly throughout however especially once a stranger enters the restaurant. Who is he? Guess.

Not many people have seen this film, and it is a shame because it is a work of art. The characters are brilliant, the dialogue is sensational and the use of themes leaves the audience wondering. I truly loved this film and can't wait to see more of Matthew George's work.

This is an excellent film, full of complexity, themes and great dialogue. The characters are well drawn, with Phil the biggest loser of all time.

Adam Haddrick's character is the most vicious thing I've seen on screen since Alec Guinness's portrayal of Adolf Hitler in 'Hitler: The Last Ten Days.'

I just wish they'd all got away with it. But without giving too much away, there are some situations you just cannot lie your way out of.

My friend made me sit down and watch this film. This is out there material. "God the Devil, Heaven Hell... and a restaurant thrown in for good measure.

Four guys and a prick. Who dies? When and how?is That's the story. You'll never guess the ending for this one. A skillfully realized little gem of Aussie cinema. Hats of to the team that made this one.

10 out of 10.