The Powells welcomed a baby named Jack into their family in Oakland, and he quickly became extraordinary because he developed at an accelerated pace. Robin Williams portrays Jack, who, upon entering the fifth grade at ten years old, appears to be a man of forty. The film features Diane Lane as his mother, Bill Cosby as his tutor, Jennifer Lopez as his teacher, and Fran Drescher in the role of a single mother drawn to him. "Jack," released in 1996, draws on familiar territory explored in "Big" from 1988, adding elements reminiscent of “Milk Money.” The movie attempts to balance serious dramatic moments with slapstick comedy and profound tragedy, creating a confusing mix of tones. It would have benefitted from refining the comedic aspects, particularly those involving children, such as the treehouse scenes. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with the cast or the filmmaking itself, the script needed more work to fully realize what could have been. I struggled to accept Robin Williams as a ten-year-old boy, and the humor between him and the other kids didn't quite land for me, though it wasn’t entirely without amusement. Fortunately, several elements elevate the film: Lopez, Drescher, and Lane are appealing, and I particularly appreciated the scenes featuring Lopez and Drescher, like the one set in a bar; Cosby is his usual charming self (prior to later events); and the latter portion of the movie surpasses the tentative beginning. Director Francis Ford Coppola demonstrated his ability with this type of fanciful story through “Peggy Sue Got Married,” but he needed a stronger script for this project. Nevertheless, some viewers find enjoyment in the film—despite critics like Siskel & Ebert dismissing it—so ultimately, appreciation is subjective. The movie has a running time of one hour and fifty-three minutes, and filming took place in locations just north of Oakland/San Francisco, including Vallejo, Mill Valley, and Ross. GRADE: C+

Source on TMDB