Customer Reviews

The Jack Bull

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wow. I've not seen very many westerns, truth be told. I can count the one's I've enjoyed on one hand. Tombstone, Unforgiven, and to a lesser extent, Silverado. But the Jack Bull tops them all (sorry, Clint). John Cusack plays a horse trader who is forced to leave two prized steeds with a spiteful land Baron because he can't afford the Baron's toll. When he returns to pick his horses back up, he finds them badly beaten and swaybacked, and the Indian worker he left with them was beaten and driven off. He wants amends and gives the Baron two weeks to have his horses returned to their former glory and his Indian cohort payed for his damages. The Baron refuses, and with no help from the local or federal law agencies, he takes matters into his own hands. In my opinion, this is how the Wild, Wild West really was, as every bit of this movie rings authentic. Cusack is amazingly good in one of his best rolls ever (among Say Anything and Grosse Point Blank), and John Goodman is equally as good as a no-nonsense judge. This is a good example of the price of taking the law into your own hands, and I think this one will become a staple in any film fan's, western or no, permanent video collection. I give this one five stars, and that's saying something seein' as how I ain't none too keen on westerns and all. Watch this movie. Buy it. You won't regret it.

One of the least known western movies of the time that should be considered as a great real to life action movie. It transports you to the time of pre-statehood and could be any state of the USA. Cusak's performance is totally outstanding and I would consider his best work ever. A good family film that even my grandchildren enjoyed.
In this day and time you look for films that DO NOT cater to foul language, sex and drugs and this film was a delight to sit through.

The plot was captivating, very interesting twists that took you off-guard. It truly holds your attention. The scenery was breathtaking! Being a fan of Cusack, I have seen pretty much all of his movies, this one tops them all in the category of plot and acting. (Of note: My favorite Cusack classic will always be: Say Anything, I have this movie and have seen it a thousand times. I actually quote from it on a regular basis.) Getting back to The Jack Bull, this movie lets you see the range Cusack has in his acting ability and allows you to see real growth in him as a talented actor. Kudos to you John! The one area that stands out in my mind was watching his anger....very believable and impressive. It was also good to see John Goodman on screen again, especially in the "morals" role. The ending was a bit disturbing and not what you expect, but it was a good fit to the overall plot. Thumbs up to Dick Cusack for creating such a wonderful movie as this, and for his talented kids!

JACK BULL is a smart and slick tale of frontier justice taken to extremes. John Cusack nails the role of the horse trader done wrong and the acts he takes in retribution.
I especially liked the introduction of the John Goodman character as a no-nonsense frontier judge whose sense of justice is equal to Cusack's. Cusack's acts of vigilante justice work on an individual basis in a lawless society, but Goodman represents the Law. I thought this interesting story became fascinating after Goodman's arrival. What started out as a revenge movie slowly and surely morphs into a tragedy, with two strong-willed characters whose passion for justice negates any other considerations.
This one surprised me some. JACK BULL is a minor classic and immensely enjoyable. I very strongly recommend it.

"The Jack Bull" is another movie that displays the amazing acting talent of John Cusack. There are times that I am disappointed that Cusack doesn't seem to parallel in accolades with actors such as Cruise, Crowe, and Hanks. But then I think about that and I have decided that Cusack is far above and a much better talent than the aforementioned. "The Jack Bull" is a perfect example of why. A movie written by his father, "The Jack Bull" is an excellent display of good vs. evil. Beautifully written, the story becomes three-dimensional with some of the best performances I have seen from Cusack and John Goodman. A definite emotional film, the displays of ethos, pathos, and logos are just right...not too Hollywood and not at all dull. As a person who is not a fan of the traditional Western genre, "The Jack Bull" proves that one should not decide from films in the vacuum of a particular genre. I will admit, I have been quite smitten with Lloyd Dobbler for many years. Yet I have seen that Cusack's acting talents are so malleable, that he, too, does not act within the vacuum of a genre. Forget the fact that I have adored Cusack's movies for many years, this movie is definitely worth owning...not just watching once.

I've become rather disappointed in many of the recently released movies. Not because they aren't spectacular with lot's of special effects, etc, but because of a lack of substance regarding right and wrong. The Jack Bull was released in 1999 as an HBO film. The plot revolves around a man who treats people honestly and respectfully and believes in the law to uphold these virtues despite wealth, power and influence. He expects the same to apply to everyone. He encounters other men who are greedy, and dishonest.
Jack Bull follows John Cusack's character in an attempt to get justice when he is wronged.
The movie follows Cusack's pursuit of justice through honest means. When that fails, he takes the law into his own hands, eventually gaining retribution from the man responsible.
Without giving the plot away, Cusack also must face the consequences for his vigilantism and it's results. This is a movie where the hero is held accountable just as the villian is for the wrongs they have done.
The movie may be 4 or 5 years old, it may not have gotten it's well deserved attention when released. But, it is one of those thought provoking movies that stay with you. Well acted, thought provoking.
I'm happy with this purchase and believe many of those who may have missed The Jack Bull will also enjoy this superb movie.
John Row

This movie was on the Movie Network and I'm very glad I taped it at my Dad's suggestion. It got two stars in our TV Guide and I'm learning to never rely on it for it's opinions on quality films. This movie was fantastic, brilliantly acted, brilliantly directed, and extremely well written. The main theme of the film- honour and justice- was clearly carried through without being complicated or overly simplistic. John Cusack has never let me down and this movie is no exception. And, the Alberta mountains are as breath-taking a landscape as any. Go see this movie!

I had not heard of this movie before entering the video store that I frequent. I asked the store's owner to suggest something worthwhile to fill some free time. He suggested The Jack Bull and asked me to give him my opinion afterwards. I had no expectations one way or the other. This wonderful film held me spellbound and in hope of seeing "Justice" prevail through the entire movie. It was a grand lesson in values, love and doing the "right thing", no matter what the cost to self. It was not just another "Cowboy" tale of the "Old West", it was certainly one of, if not the best I have seen to date. John Cusack deserves recignition, be it in the form of an Oscar or simply the public begging him for more. He and his father and John Goodman, oh heck, the entire crew; did a splendid job! Rent it and then buy it to view over again and again with family and friends. I can now tell Jeff, the video store owner, that he certainly made a fine suggestion for my viewing pleasure!

During this time period,the West was lacking in justice for the little man or one without money and power in politics. It showed the extent one man is willing to go in order to see justice done. John Cusack is excellent in his role of Merl. I don't recall seeing him play such a serious character in any film. John Goodman plays a just man, one I was sorry that Cusack's character couldn't have met up with sooner.

The formation of the early West was a brutal land, and many men died for what they believed in, whether over land wars, Indian issues or justice. I will recommend this movie to anyone, not just because of the moral issues involved, but because it's a story that needs telling, fiction or not.

To those of us who follow any of HBO's original programming, it should come as no surprise that a film on the level of THE JACK BULL premieres on HBO. While the folks out in Hollywood are busy heaping money on so-called films such as AMERICAN OUTLAWS and TEXAS RANGERS, leave it to HBO and John Cusak to come up with the good stuff. Though the big screen fare is far glossier (and no doubt costlier), Cusak's gritty western is simply far superior. Boasting a cast including Cusak, John C. McGinley, John Goodman, and L. Q. Jones, the film out-acts its big screen competitors by a mile and a half. Combine it with a cold, smart, gritty screenplay by Cusak's dad and strong direction by John Badham and you have a film worthy of inclusion among really good Westerns.

f you want to see Ashton Kutcher, James Van Der Beek, Colin Farrell, or Usher Raymond, you'll have to rent the other two. But if you want to see something more on par with Clint Eastwood's UNFORGIVEN, well then, THE JACK BULL is calling your name!