[Review] My Boy Jack (2007)

cast: David Haig, Daniel Radcliffe, Kim Cattrall, Carey Mulligan, Julian Wadham
directed by: Brian Kirk

“Have you news of my boy Jack? Not this tide…”

“My Boy Jack” is a television drama based on David Haig’s play bearing the same title. Rudyard Kipling’s son, John was one of the many soldiers who never came back home after the First World War, his body not being found. For those who have little to no knowledge of who Kipling was, the 2007 movie adaptation doesn’t give a solid Wikipedia tale of rise and glory of the “Jungle Book” author but rather focuses on the tale of his son and the way the family coped after he went missing in action.

It’s a simple tale told in a moving way by a well put together cast and delivers one of the many stories of the young men who went to war and never made it back home. For the younger audiences it might have an echo with “War Horse” but “My Boy Jack” is simple yet emotional. It focuses solely on the father and son bond and the way Rudyard coped after his son went to war and the news broke that during the battle of Loos, on his 18th birthday, Jack went missing in action.

Kipling is shown as a man being proud of the fact his son, a young man who couldn’t see without his glasses and that being a real problem when facing a raid behind enemy lines, was sent to war, decided to be part of the cause. He made use of his connections, he ignored common sense and the fact his boy was unable to see without the aid of his spectacles. It portrays the desire to be part of the movement, to be one of the many men who went to war and tried to make things right, it’s the tale of the many who went to war and came back home in pieces or who never came back. It’s the tale of sacrifice delivered in a simple manner from the point of view of a man knows for his stories and who lives to regret his actions.

David Haig does justice to the part, having played Kipling on stage and Carey Mulligan really delivers the sibling affection and sadness of Bird stuck his her parents and simply trying to live each day hoping her brother is alright and knowing he shouldn’t have made the sacrifice he it. The revelation comes from Daniel Radcliffe, at that time in the mists of filming the Harry Potter movies. His performance is full of emotion, daring and it sticks with the audiences. You feel for his character and that’s what you want at the end of the day from your performance. Radcliffe has had good reviews and reviews claiming he needs to brush up on his acting chops, he’s a good actor, focusing on having a wide range of roles and he’s not afraid to take on a difficult tasks. Kim Cattrall on the other hand seems an odd choice for Caroline Kipling but if we refresh our memories from her Samantha Jones antics and give her some credit, the part of an affectionate mother suits hers.

“My Boy Jack” is a simple tale wrapped around the poem Rudyard Kipling penned for his son. It lives and breathes emotions for the first minute to the last. It’s in fact another tribute to the many who lost their lives during the First World War and is done as it should be, with reverence, talent and emotion.

Edge and Back: 7/10

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