In 'Jack Has a Plan,' Letting Go Isn't So Complicated
In 'Jack Has a Plan,' Letting Go Isn't So Complicated
For Jack Tuller, the end is as important as the middle.
Dear Moviegoers,
An ending with dignity. Not every movie gets that, and not every person gets to make that happen for themselves.
A man’s final years are documented by close friends and family in Jack Has a Plan, making for a rich, frank, and honest film. It’s confrontational and uncomfortable, but also peaceful and filled with celebration and uncut humanity. Immediately after viewing the film, I thought about celebrations of life and how I should live for the moment - so to speak. An inspirational tale of life. In hindsight however (not quite 20/20 but long enough), the story of Jack Tuller and his declaration of when, where, and how he wishes to pass away is most definitely about death and death alone. There’s no confusion about that nor is there room for calling this “a movie about life.” How awful it would have been to fall on the sword of cliche.
I don’t see death as being a negative necessarily, and neither does this movie. At least not within the context of someone making a proper plan based on health care, medicine, and thoughtfulness. Just like life, death can be horrific. But it can also be wonderful, can’t it?
Of course it can.
It’s impressive how the filmmaker doesn’t waver or let his personal feelings intrude on Jack’s will to die. He certainly, from behind the camera, tries to express his disagreement with his friend’s choice, feeling that it might be rushed. Never do these moments take focus away from Jack in his film, and never are they emotionally manipulative toward the audience. Jack Tuller is appreciative of the concern of course, but still completely confident that he’s doing right by himself, and that’s that.
Tuller’s decision is based on his over two-decades-long battle with a brain tumor that will likely result in him losing basic motor skills and, as he emphasizes a lot, his memory. His experiences. His very being. As documented, Jack goes through signing documents that clarify his sound mind & body to choose when and where to
Jack Has a Plan leads up to Jack’s chosen final days with scenes of discovery and revelation. He ties up loose ends by meeting his biological father and by getting shunned by a mother he hasn’t spoken to in many years. It’s amazing just how intimate of a film this is, how close and personal it gets to Jack - beyond the tangible and into plenty of prickly territory - and how it’s able to maintain a sense of calm and personality that eschews the dour and the depressing, even in the most intense of scenes, like when the filmmaker, holding the camera by himself, spills his heart to Jack in rather close quarters. There is no bubble to hide in, there is nowhere else to go. Jack Has a Plan states that raw vulnerability isn’t just natural for a person, but key to being one. Key to being loved, key to loving others, key to living, and key to dying.
No matter the disappointments, the tears, the sorrow, and the pain, Jack remained happy. Appreciative, happy, and self-assured. How wonderful that is. 3.5/5
Jack Has a Plan is currently on tour.
Sincerely Yours in Moviegoing,
⚜️🍿
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