Matching Jack
Encyclopedia
Matching Jack is a 2010 Australian drama film directed by Nadia Tass
from a screenplay by Lynne Renew and David Parker
, based on an unfilmed script by Renew entitled Love and Mortar. The film stars Jacinda Barrett
as a mother who begins a lengthy search for a bone marrow donor to help her son (Tom Russell), who has been diagnosed with Leukemia
. James Nesbitt
, Kodi Smit-McPhee
and Richard Roxburgh
also star.
Matching Jack was produced by Tass and Parker's studio Cascade Films, in association with the film investment agencies Film Victoria
and Screen Australia
. It was filmed on location in Melbourne
in 2009, and premiered at the 2010 Melbourne International Film Festival
. 20th Century Fox
distributed it to 185 national screens in August 2010, the widest Fox release of an Australian film since 2008's Australia
.
The film won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay at the 2011 Milan International Film Festival. Matching Jack was also honoured with Cannes Cinephile Prix De Jury Bel Age at the 2011 Cinephiles festival at Cannes in May 2011.
Over recent months, the film has screened at: Palm Beach International Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, Belfast Film Festival, Internationales Filmwochenende Wurzburg (Germany), Tiburon International Film Festival and Newport Beach Film Festival.
David Stratton, The Australian: “Wonderfully acted and scripted… Smit-McPhee, particularly, brings grace, dignity and child-like optimism to his character, and he is heart-breakingly impressive as Finn.”
David Tiley, Screenhub: “A terrific, passionate, sobby, craftful heartgrabber, a grown up film about a vast and honest emotional arc.”
Jim Schembri, The Sydney Morning Herald: "It's a no-holds-bar emotional slam dunk as a young mother (superbly played by Jacinda Barrett) desperately searches for a bone marrow match for her son from among the illegitimate children fathered by her promiscuous husband (Richard Roxburgh). A beautiful, moving, unashamedly melodramatic film that rouses tears and joy in equal measure."
Nadia Tass
Nadia Tass is a film director, producer and actress, originally from Macedonia, northern Greece, who moved to Australia in the 1960s. She began her career as an actress appearing in the television series Prisoner. Ms...
from a screenplay by Lynne Renew and David Parker
David Parker (director)
David Parker is an Australian cinematographer, film producer, screenwriter and film director.Films written by Parker include Malcolm, Rikky and Pete, The Big Steal, and Amy. He has directed two films, Hercules Returns and Diana and Me.He is married to Nadia Tass-External links:* at...
, based on an unfilmed script by Renew entitled Love and Mortar. The film stars Jacinda Barrett
Jacinda Barrett
Jacinda Barrett is an Australian American model turned actress. She first became known to audiences as a cast member on The Real World: London before appearing in films such as Ladder 49, The Namesake, The Human Stain, and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.-Early life and career:Born in Brisbane,...
as a mother who begins a lengthy search for a bone marrow donor to help her son (Tom Russell), who has been diagnosed with Leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt is a Northern Irish actor. Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Nesbitt grew up in the nearby village of Broughshane, before moving to Coleraine, County Londonderry. He wanted to become a teacher like his father, so he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster...
, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Kodi Smit-McPhee
Kodi Smit-McPhee is an award-winning Australian actor, most known for his roles as The Boy in the The Road and Owen in Let Me In. He has also appeared in Australian films, Romulus, My Father and Matching Jack....
and Richard Roxburgh
Richard Roxburgh
Richard Roxburgh is an Australian actor who has starred in many Australian films and has appeared in supporting roles in a number of Hollywood productions, usually as villains.-Early life:...
also star.
Matching Jack was produced by Tass and Parker's studio Cascade Films, in association with the film investment agencies Film Victoria
Film Victoria
Film Victoria is a statutory authority of the State Government of Victorian, Australia that provides strategic leadership and assistance for film, television, and digital media production in the Australian state of Victoria....
and Screen Australia
Screen Australia
Screen Australia is the Federal Government’s key funding body for the Australian screen production industry. Its functions are to support and promote the development of a highly creative, innovative and commercially sustainable industry....
. It was filmed on location in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 2009, and premiered at the 2010 Melbourne International Film Festival
Melbourne International Film Festival
The Melbourne International Film Festival is an acclaimed annual film festival held over three weeks in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1951, making it one of the oldest in the World....
. 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
distributed it to 185 national screens in August 2010, the widest Fox release of an Australian film since 2008's Australia
Australia (2008 film)
Australia is a 2008 epic historical romance film directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. It is the second-highest grossing Australian film of all time, behind Crocodile Dundee. The screenplay was written by Luhrmann and screenwriter Stuart Beattie, with Ronald Harwood...
.
The film won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay at the 2011 Milan International Film Festival. Matching Jack was also honoured with Cannes Cinephile Prix De Jury Bel Age at the 2011 Cinephiles festival at Cannes in May 2011.
Over recent months, the film has screened at: Palm Beach International Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, Belfast Film Festival, Internationales Filmwochenende Wurzburg (Germany), Tiburon International Film Festival and Newport Beach Film Festival.
Reviews
Leonard Maltin: “A deeply emotional film, clearly made with tender loving care. Kodi Smit-McPhee gives an utterly remarkable performance in a cast full of fine actors.”David Stratton, The Australian: “Wonderfully acted and scripted… Smit-McPhee, particularly, brings grace, dignity and child-like optimism to his character, and he is heart-breakingly impressive as Finn.”
David Tiley, Screenhub: “A terrific, passionate, sobby, craftful heartgrabber, a grown up film about a vast and honest emotional arc.”
Jim Schembri, The Sydney Morning Herald: "It's a no-holds-bar emotional slam dunk as a young mother (superbly played by Jacinda Barrett) desperately searches for a bone marrow match for her son from among the illegitimate children fathered by her promiscuous husband (Richard Roxburgh). A beautiful, moving, unashamedly melodramatic film that rouses tears and joy in equal measure."
Cast
- Jacinda BarrettJacinda BarrettJacinda Barrett is an Australian American model turned actress. She first became known to audiences as a cast member on The Real World: London before appearing in films such as Ladder 49, The Namesake, The Human Stain, and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.-Early life and career:Born in Brisbane,...
as Marissa - James NesbittJames NesbittJames Nesbitt is a Northern Irish actor. Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Nesbitt grew up in the nearby village of Broughshane, before moving to Coleraine, County Londonderry. He wanted to become a teacher like his father, so he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster...
as Connor, an Irish sailor - Tom Russel l as Jack, Marissa's son
- Kodi Smit-McPheeKodi Smit-McPheeKodi Smit-McPhee is an award-winning Australian actor, most known for his roles as The Boy in the The Road and Owen in Let Me In. He has also appeared in Australian films, Romulus, My Father and Matching Jack....
as Finn, Connor's son, who befriends Jack - Richard RoxburghRichard RoxburghRichard Roxburgh is an Australian actor who has starred in many Australian films and has appeared in supporting roles in a number of Hollywood productions, usually as villains.-Early life:...
as David, Marissa's unfaithful husband - Julia HarariJulia HarariJulia Harari is an accomplished Australian actor known for film and theatre performance. She is well remembered for title role appearances as:* the fragile Hedda in Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabbler, and...
as Young Doctor