Jack l'Éclair

What an homage to Westerns. This is more in the mold of "Rustler's Rhapsody" which itself was a treat.

Lightning Jack was played by Paul Hogan. He was a quickdraw outlaw that was quickly gangless after a botched bank robbery. Though he never rebuilt his gang, he gained a sidekick in Ben Doyle (Cuba Gooding Jr.). There was just one problem: Ben Doyle was mute. Ben Doyle being a mute sidekick made for some serious comedy.

Part of me said that I shouldn't laugh because they're making fun of a handicap. Another, more juvenile, part of me laughed heartily at Ben Doyle's antics. Honestly, it takes remarkable acting to play a mute and have the range of expressions to be funny. It's almost a throwback to silent films in which everything was conveyed via facial expressions and bodily motions. So maybe "Lightning Jack" is just a guilty pleasure of mine.

Put on Lightning Jack and all your worries will disappear for 90mins.

This film isn't good but it isn't bad either. It's just a normal movie with some nice jokes in it. The characters are lovable, the performances are good, and it has it's share of funny scenes.

Not bad for a raining Sunday.

2 1/2(**1/2)out of 4(****)stars

Well, I watched this movie a little while ago , and I am only now getting around to writing a comment on it.

I never use to be that big on Paul Hogan, I never liked him all that much to be honest. But not after watching this. This movie was funny say the least, And when I first pop ed in the movie I was thinking that it was going to be some old movie that was just thrown out there in hopes of having a little money. But Honsitly I was surprised , it was enjoyable, and it wasn't boring. I also liked the idea that Cuba Gooding Jr's Character, wasn't able to speak, and how Lighting Jack wasn't able to read without his glasses , but how he tried to hide it from everyone. For anyone who hasn't seen this movie, and they like a good comedy, or Paul Hogan for that matter. What are you waiting for....? Go rent it ! If Anyone has any questions or anything like that my email is pguiney_@hotmail.com

Lightning Jack Kane (Hogan) is an elusive but aging Australian outlaw living in the Old West who doesn't get the respect he feels he deserves. He contemplates retirement, but before that can happen he has one final wish to make major headlines. When a bank robbery gets bungled, he takes a mute store clerk (Gooding) hostage, but they unexpectedly bond, develop a genuine friendship, then try to help each other out by forming an unlikely partnership to pull off a big score that will attract the necessary attention. The two leads make a surprisingly engaging team, and there are some enjoyable moments, but the whole thing is familiar and obvious. **½