As we have been covering a number of Asian-American (themed) films lately, dealing with an Australian-Asian one seemed like a great opportunity to see how the “mix” works down under. “Jacks” provided the perfect opportunity
“Jacks” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
The 9 minute short begins in a toilet where an undercover cop is checking his hidden microphone, placed underneath his shirt, just barely managing to hide it before his partner in crime suddenly bursts in, hurrying him to go. The policeman is rather anxious, but manages to hide his angst as the discussion between the two in the car moves, surprisingly, into vegan paths. A bit later, they arrive in the motel where the “transaction” is about to happen, where they are greeted by a bodyguard and his female boss, both of oriental descent. Eventually, the protagonist decides to act, but the surprises and twist keep coming immediately after.
Although starting as a kind of crime thriller, Joel Stephen Fleming soon reveals his movie to be a comedy of sorts, which thrives on its intelligent, ironic humor and the almost slapstick plot twists, whose sequence is rather hilarious, including the tragicomic ending. Through this approach (of which, I cannot reveal too much) Fleming also manages to send a subtle and almost absurd message on equality, and how people's preconceptions can turn towards them.
Apart from context, the short thrives on quality, with the production in general being top notch, as presented through the work of Connot Armitage's cinematography, and particularly the coloring, which remains impressive throughout the short. Armitage makes the most of the three, rather narrow settings the short takes place in, with the toilet, the car and the motel room being excellently implemented within the narrative (note how the clothes of the female boss match the linens and the curtains). Charnster Anderson's editing also works very well, inducing the movie with a sense of movement and speed, despite the fact that the scenes unfold much like a stage play.
Tristan Barr, Jake Doak, Joanna Funk and Sen Shao perform in a fashion that fits the general, deadpan aesthetics of the short quite nicely, with the dialogues standing out despite their briefness.
“Jacks” is an excellent short that makes the most of its brief duration and meager budget, and a testament to Fleming's directorial abilities. It would be interesting to see him directing a feature ‘cop comedy'.
