Customer Reviews

JAKE'S CLOSET

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was pleasantly surprised by this little indie. They managed to mix together a younger coming-of-age film with a zombie plot, all created by the disaster a divorce can play on a child.

Anthony De Marco has an outstanding first film here, and I have to admit that I haven't seen a performance this believable in a kid since the Costner film Perfect World (quite a few similarities between those two kids). The story revolves around an only child dealing with a nasty divorce, a snotty little neighbor kid and his mom, and his imagination about a zombie being in the house. I had already heard about the opening title sequence (a mixture of MIB, Pan's Labyrinth and Beetlejuice) which was nice to see in an indie for a tone set. Overall, a solid performance and story as the majority of the camera angles are at a kid level - this is not a film about or for adults. But I am sure a large number of nasty divorce adults could watch this and learn something. I have read arguments about the ambiguous ending being a detractor, but I actually liked it as there is really no end to what a divorce does to everyone.

The special features were appropriate and worthwhile. Several of the extras include clips for adults and children on dealing with divorce. Some deleted scenes, one that should have absolutely been left in is the zombie dance/dream sequence (I feel any dream sequences should not be cut from a film - especially one as good as this). Also a nice 20 minute docu on the making of the film with some uncomfortable talking head parts but some nice non-narrated info segments.

The film quality looked good and I was impressed with how they made the zombie part believable and relevant to the kids plight. For the obvious parental questions about content; there are adult themes with regards to arguments, an already dead rabbit sequence that the kids find, zombie innuendo (what might be happening to people/critters off screen) and maybe some frightening zombie chasing - but there is no blood, no graphic anything, no sexual innuendo - nada. Just a good film for a kid or for adults wanting to see what it might be like to go through this unfortunate and painful situation.

Jake's Closet DVD by Barbara Gruen, Ben Bode, Sean Bridgers, and Brooke Bloom
is a MUST SEE for parents contemplating divorce. The independent film is the story of a yound child whose parents are going through a divorce. The movie depicts in a moving way how young Jake copes with the terrifying situation. Although his parents try to make him understand and make the transition smooth for him, he is overwhelmed with his imagination of monsters he believes to be in his closet. The storyline of the DVD is well written and the actors do an excellent job. The film is captivating as well as enlightening. The extras on the DVD include excellent resources for families in this struggle, including phoneline help and counseling on screen, and private counsellors to contact. Because the tragedy of divorce affects each family member for the rest of their lives, devastates innocent children, and creates a lot of the poverty in the Western World, this film fills a great need in our world. By all means, if your marriage is in trouble, get this DVD. It could save your home and your children. A MUST!!

Like Paranormal Activity, this is an indie feature shot entirely in one house. This film is beautifully shot, and stars a really talented young actor. It is half horror movie, half drama as we watch a young boy seeing zombies as his parents go though a divorce. It is a really smart, well executed film. Definitely check it out.

The film promises a lot more than it delivers, and it makes the mistake of blending too many genres which sets up a confusing and often pointless narrative. I've seen other filmmakers take this concept to better results. It's not a waste of time, but its nothing to get that excited about either. I thought the performances were just so-so.

damn this movie creeped me out, dont watch alone! i dont know whats up with the tags, but there is no nudity, no prostitution and no sexual content in this film at all.

This movie was interesting, but not really my cup of tea. For what it was, "Jakes Closet" was pretty good. The story focuses on Jake and the dread he feels towards his parents' impending divorce. Not your typical Lifetime movie as the men and women seem to share the blame for the various problems in their relationships. The men seem to be at least sane, while the female characters in this film appear to be cracked or cracking under the emotional strains of their failed lives/relationships. SPOILER--- The mother's friend/neighbor slaps Jake when he asks a simple question, then later insults him and his mother. His mother falsely accuses father on several occasions. The father only loses his cool when he confronts the man sleeping with his wife. That guy promptly exits when he finds out she's married. This isn't typical formula of a family drama film. Usually, it's all the guy's fault because he either cheated, abused wife and/or kid, or gambled away their money. Bottom line for me is that Jake's Closet is a good film. I would have liked it better if Jake would have been put into real danger. Say if near the end of the film, parents are arguing, Jake is menaced by zombie and injures himself which causes he and his parents to focus on the real cause of his distress...Maybe, I dunno. By the way I believe the guy who plays Jakes father was also in HBO's Deadwood.