You Don't Know Jack (2010)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Douglas W C

  
  I love Pacino, but I could not get through this crap.

• Zach B

  
  One of the beauty's of this film is that it does question one very important topic: If someone wants to die, should they be allowed to? Well, Jack Kevorkian thinks so if it is the pacients choice in the matter by offering assisstant suicide. Al Pacino give a performance, playing… More
  One of the beauty's of this film is that it does question one very important topic: If someone wants to die, should they be allowed to? Well, Jack Kevorkian thinks so if it is the pacients choice in the matter by offering assisstant suicide. Al Pacino give a performance, playing the doctor, so much power that you really think that this is the actual man playing himself, and not some actor. The direction of the film, along with the script and acting, is beyond powerful. The only downfall is that the score was uninspiring. Most of the time, you do not notice the score and when you hear it, it is not that good. But, the others are so good that this film is required. I recommend this film if you are into biopics, love films that are about people that challenged the law, and above all else, want to see a powerful performance from Pacino.

• familiar s

  
  Euthanasia (aka 'mercy killing') has been a debatable issue for quite a long time & I guess it will remain so. There are some people in its favor & most people against it. When someone applies for it, that person doesn't do it for fun or to have a novel… More
  Euthanasia (aka 'mercy killing') has been a debatable issue for quite a long time & I guess it will remain so. There are some people in its favor & most people against it. When someone applies for it, that person doesn't do it for fun or to have a novel experience (there may be exceptions here: like some fool doing so for gaining attention). They do so because their pain has become unbearable & there's no cure available for it. If there are two persons suffering from Quadriplegia & one of 'em asks for euthanasia while other one makes no such demand, people usually say that if the other can survive, why not the other. They forget that everyone don't have same capabilities. It's easier to say that if you try, you can also survive like the others. But they fail to understand that that person would have done so if he/she too was capable for it (to suffer the pain). One mostly asks for it when their pain has gone beyond their suffering limit & there seems to be no hope of cure whatsoever (however, as mentioned above, there are exceptional cases). The movie focuses on this issue & shows why it's not bad. In a way, I felt that it was biased. It is shown from the viewpoint of Dr. Jack Kevorkian & it hardly takes opposer's (those who are against Euthanasia) opinion into consideration. While being in favor of euthanasia myself, I'd have liked the movie more had they left it to the viewer to decide whether it's good or bad, & not shown more pros than the cons of euthanasia. For most of the part, if not all, the movie portrays Dr. Jack Kevorkian as a hero. That's another thing I didn't like about the movie. However, if real Dr. Jack Kevorkian was the same as the character Dr. Jack Kevorkian in the movie, I bow to him. Al Pacino fluently played the role of Dr. Jack Kevorkian. The rest of the cast is also impressive. Check it out if if, like me, you're also interested in 'Euthanasia' & movies based on actual events.

• Cynthia S

  
  Ok, not an Al Pacino fan really. What drew me to this movie was the fact that I have always believed in what Dr. Kevorkian stood for. I deal with very sick patients every day, and I absolutely understand the euthanasia issue. I completely believe in the right to choose whether to live… More
  Ok, not an Al Pacino fan really. What drew me to this movie was the fact that I have always believed in what Dr. Kevorkian stood for. I deal with very sick patients every day, and I absolutely understand the euthanasia issue. I completely believe in the right to choose whether to live or to die. I hope this issue is resolved by the time I need it, because I would choose NOT to suffer terribly for years. To me that is the inhuman part of our system. On a lighter note, Al Pacino did a knock up job! I will be surprised if he isn't nominated for something for doing this film.

• Corey W

  
  Its Al Pacino's performence that makes this movie worth watching. The story itself is interesting but in the end its hard to come up with weather you like this or not.

• paul s

  
  Perhaps because I am in agreement with Kevorkian's pro euthanasia stance, I found the film very true, heartwrenching and very much NOT macabre. Certainly there are ramifications of his right-to-die stance, but they are legal ones, and in my view, not moral ones. But subject… More
  Perhaps because I am in agreement with Kevorkian's pro euthanasia stance, I found the film very true, heartwrenching and very much NOT macabre. Certainly there are ramifications of his right-to-die stance, but they are legal ones, and in my view, not moral ones. But subject matter aside, this is a sterling production. Barry Levinson aptly balances the turmoil and the humanity, with re-creations of Kevorkian's "death interviews" wherein those suffering from terminal, and often very painfull illnesses ask for the suffering to end. Pacino is brilliant as the somewhat wacky, but very astute Kevorkian; an older "retired" physician who champions the right to die with dignity at a time of your own choosing. Trying to thwart him is a politician who is a religious zealot, seeing Kevorkian as a sinner, murderer and, as most physicians seem to do, be playing God. As I watched the film I was worried that the script might be too pro right to die, and that perhaps the naysayers were too black and white, but then considered that the religious right probably wouldn't be watching this anyway, so the portrayal wouldn't offend. I can't say enough about the casting and acting in this film. The always fantastic and very human John Goodman should be mentioned, as well as yet another solid perfomance from Susan Surandon; and equally excellent as Kevorkian's sister is Brenda Vaccaro - yes Brenda Vaccaro! Where has she been and why hasn't she been on screen more often? In an almost throwaway scene that I thought very telling, Vaccaro gets fired from her secretarial position at a law firm for no other reason than her name. Freakin' amazing - I would have sued 'em six ways to Sunday. Would Charlie Manson's sister have received the same treatment? Yikes! There's much more to this film than the subject matter, including some political posturing, some appropriate humor, and tons of humanity on display, both good and bad. There are court scenes where I swear Pacino was ready to yell "you're out of order", but stayed in the quirky, eccentric, yet passionate charactor he created - there were times when I thought Pacino's Kevorkian was channeling Woody Allen circa "Annie Hall"; all bumbling and tongue-tied, yet with a burning passion and conviction to get the government to fully separate church and state. The entire issue was so much of a hot button topic that the supreme court refused to hear his case, not wanting to step into what would assuredly have been a monumental can of worms. So here we are, 30 years later, with the insurance companies and the church still dictating when and how a person may end their life. It's sad that Kevorkian's campaign ultimately failed, for I know I certainly wouldn't want to be the victim of a debilitating and painful illness (say Lou Gehrig's disease) and be denied the right to choose how I'm going to live my final days. Arrgh - you see, you might think that this really has nothing to do with the film, but the subject matter has me all keyed up - so the film must have indeed fulfilled its goal to inform and entertain.

• Michael G

  
  With You Don't Know Jack, Al Pacino does something he hasn't done in decades -- HE ACTS! It's a great biopic of Dr. Jack Kevorkian wonderfully directed by Barry Levinson. They seem to go a little out of their way to tell a one-sided story under the guise of… More
  With You Don't Know Jack, Al Pacino does something he hasn't done in decades -- HE ACTS! It's a great biopic of Dr. Jack Kevorkian wonderfully directed by Barry Levinson. They seem to go a little out of their way to tell a one-sided story under the guise of Kevorkian's point of view but it I wanted to get into a moral or legal argument I wouldn't have made it through the whole movie. The cast is great and the scene where Kevorkian tells the zealots his god wasn't invented was hysterical. You Don't Know Jack definitely has me thinking twice about dismissing made for cable movies.

• Aaron N

  
  Dr. Jack Kevorkian: If they want to silence me, let them prosecute me. Send me to jail. A well made, made-for-HBO biopic about the infamous career of Dr. Jack Kavorkian. An A-list team headed by director Barry Levinson and starring Al Pacino, doing his best work in years, the film… More
  Dr. Jack Kevorkian: If they want to silence me, let them prosecute me. Send me to jail. A well made, made-for-HBO biopic about the infamous career of Dr. Jack Kavorkian. An A-list team headed by director Barry Levinson and starring Al Pacino, doing his best work in years, the film does a good job at presenting this obscure figure in history, even if the film strays towards a one-sided argument in favor of Dr. Death. Set mostly in his home state of Michigan, the movie chronicles Jack Kevorkian's life through the 1990s, after he had already committed himself to using his self-devised "Mercitron" to end the lives of those seeking his assistance as opposed to taking people off life support, a process that he deems "inhumane." Jack, played by Pacino, is joined in his practice by his sister, played quite well by Brenda Vaccaro, his friend and sometime collaborate Neal, played by John Goodman, a vocal activist Janet Good, played by Susan Surandon, and a big shot defense attorney played by Danny Huston in a wig. I also enjoyed seeing Dr. Venture playing a journalist for the New York Times. The film portrays Jack's efforts to go through his procedures, which includes video taped recordings of the people who wished to be assisted in their deaths (some of which were the actual recordings) along with his appearances on 60 Minutes and with Barbara Walters, and his trials against the various legal parties trying to stop him. The film does end with the Doc K. defending himself in court against counts of murder after continuing to challenge the system by recording his actual assist in death and showing it on television, after previously having the patients "pull the plug," so to speak, themselves. This is certainly the type of film HBO is appropriate for as a debut outlet. Similar to the also very good film Recount, this film isn't really the type that can be successfully put into theaters, but the subject matter is interesting enough that it should be told in someway, and its well done here, which is due to the talent involved. Pacino is great here. Dialing down from being crazy Al Pacino with wild speech patterns and hair, here he is adopting a specific character, with a midwestern accent, quirky and darkly comedic sensabilities, and most importantly, a sincere attitude and regard for what he is doing. Despite whatever differing opinions there may be on euthanasia, Kavorkian is never portrayed as a man who jokes about death, he is wholly devoted to his cause, and only towards the end giving us a peak at the deeper places of where his mindset stems from. There are solid supporting performances here from the supporting cast as well. You can always rely on Goodman for solid chemistry with whomever he is cast with. Surandon and Huston are quite effective. It really comes down to Vaccaro who has to face up to Pacino the most on different emotional levels. Levinson's direction is strong enough, with he and his crew seeming to work hard at channeling Gus Van Sant's Milk from the way it is constructed in tone. The blending of some archival footage into the film is effective, and the conveying of time passage is handled well enough with a few time stamps, and more importantly - a numbering of each of Dr K.'s patients. The only real problem is how much of a hero to make Jack. The movie clearly argures strongly in favor of him, and while not putting my own opinions on the film in either side, the film could have benefited more from a bit fairer shake on the side striking against him. Still, very interesting overall, and well acted, especially for Pacino. Dr. Jack Kevorkian: What law have I broken?

• Walter M

  
  In "You Don't Know Jack," Dr. Jack Kervorkian(Al Pacino), a semi-retired pathologist, confides to his sister Margo(Brenda Vaccaro) that inspired by the needless agonies of their dying mother, his cause will be euthanasia. With a little help from his pal Neal(John… More
  In "You Don't Know Jack," Dr. Jack Kervorkian(Al Pacino), a semi-retired pathologist, confides to his sister Margo(Brenda Vaccaro) that inspired by the needless agonies of their dying mother, his cause will be euthanasia. With a little help from his pal Neal(John Goodman), he gets the necessary supplies for his Mercitron but Janet Good(Susan Sarandon) of the Hemlock Society, having second thoughts about letting him use their property for his first patient, leads him to use his VW bus near a lake. Arrested, he is soon released but without his medical license and Dick Thompson(Cotter Smith) out to prosecute him. So, he quickly performs two more mercy killings before hiring Geofrey Feiger(Danny Huston), a lawyer. As much as I liked "You Don't Know Jack," it still seemed a little off to me, weirdly more tragicomic than emotional, considering the subject matter, as the filmmakers apparently had no idea what to do with Kervorkian the person, adding little to the public record. Here he is depicted as an eccentric and irascible presence who never felt he was wrong that Al Pacino nails along with an excellent Michigan accent.(To the movie's benefit, there are few pretty faces and the Big Boy's is a nice touch.) As far as the movie goes, he is the wrong man for the right cause which his actions did very little to help, despite the repeated poll numbers in favor of euthanasia. Added to that, the film has the American obsession of winning and losing, with too much time spent on the climactic trial. Personally, I think euthanasia should be permitted under very strict observation like it is in Oregon, so I have little appreciation for his cowboy tactics. But to his credit, Kervorkian stuck to the central tenets of civil disobedience by not fleeing to Canada when prosecuted which also makes his references to Gandhi and Dr. King less laughable. What made Kervorkian such a divisive figure was his willingness to get his hands dirty on a very difficult subject that most people do not want to think about, much less act on.

• Panta O

  
  It is a very controversial story about Jack Kevorkian, the doctor who spent eight years in jail for his role in assisting the terminally ill to commit suicide. It's supposed to be a "loose" adaptation of the book Between the Dying and the Dead: Dr. Jack… More
  It is a very controversial story about Jack Kevorkian, the doctor who spent eight years in jail for his role in assisting the terminally ill to commit suicide. It's supposed to be a "loose" adaptation of the book Between the Dying and the Dead: Dr. Jack Kevorkian's Life and the Battle to Legalize Euthanasia by Neal Nicol and Harry Wylie...( I believe it is hard for everyone to adapt a book with such a title). Al Pacino was brave enough to take on the role of Kevorkian, a friendly enough looking older fellow whose name has become synonymous with assisted suicide. Kevorkian created a device to assist the terminally ill in their own suicides - 130 of them - which earned him the nickname Dr. Death, eight years in jail, and a Time magazine cover. My opinion is that at moments this role was just TOO MUCH for Pacino - he tried too hard! When you compare it with the acting of Susan Sarandon and John Goodman, which were less complex roles - I admit that, at the time you can find yourself gasping for breath asking yourself - why? - he could do it more naturally... I am not sure that Dr. Kevorkian was most of the time "lost in space" like this movie is portraying him, but at least the director managed to show that he had a passion in whatever he was doing and a conviction that he is doing a right thing. He missed the opportunity to make this rather dark and heavy film at the moments, enriched with the real life Kevorkian - he was a jazz musician and composer (The Kevorkian Suite: A Very Still Life was a 1997 release CD). There was an attempt to add a smidge of levity and inappropriate humour, but I do not think it was too effective. At the end seems like a somewhat empathetic look at this controversial man. Interesting biopic- nothing more, nothing less - just a watchable Sunday afternoon film (with your older relatives).

• Ryan M

  
  8.3/10 In this world, men both suffer and prosper. For a while, the only way out seemed to be dying a slow death. But one man named Jack Kevorkian introduces the possibility of assisted suicide. Like most things of its type, his idea shocks the world. He is all for such… More
  8.3/10 In this world, men both suffer and prosper. For a while, the only way out seemed to be dying a slow death. But one man named Jack Kevorkian introduces the possibility of assisted suicide. Like most things of its type, his idea shocks the world. He is all for such a thing, and this happens to trouble a lot of people. Kevorkian was a misunderstood man. If I was alive when his case was heard, I would have been on his side. I believe that any man or woman has the right to choose when they want to die. If someone needs to help them do so, then so be it. It is our will to survive when we want to, and when we can no longer thrive; we should be able to pull the plug. "You Don't Know Jack" re-tells the story of Kevorkian's life on-screen, and it works to miraculous effect. Not only is the story powerful and emotionally resonant, but the film also features one of Al Pacino's best performances in years. Pacino is pitch-perfect as Kevorkian, and the supporting cast does what they do best; support his own performance. Everything is handled nicely; especially the scenes of assisted suicide (which are shown). What makes them so powerful and emotional is that in but an instant, this film can make us care for these people and sympathize for their desire. Kevorkian seems to understand their wish to die, and he also respects it. Why other people cannot is beyond me. Is it because of religion? Is it because it's just not right? People regarded Jack as a sick man. I would regard him as a genius. He saw dying men for what they were; troubled human beings who can no longer breathe, thrive, love, and survive as they should. He wanted to end their misery so that they could live happier elsewhere. However, this is perhaps where the controversy came in. Did Jack Kevorkian believe in God? I don't suppose he did. That implies that he did not believe in Heaven. So where did he, Jack, believe people went once he gave them their injection? I don't suppose he considered they would be going anywhere. But nowhere is better then here, so he would think. "You Don't Know Jack" captures Kevorkian perfectly. I recommend that you see this film. It furthermore proves that HBO is a trusty place to look for high-quality made-for-TV productions. Especially when they are films original to the highly popular channel. I believe that "You Don't Know Jack" is one of their finest productions. It's good stuff. Most of us have heard of Jack Kevorkian. He is the man that many would call "heartless", "murderous", and monstrous". He was even called inhuman. The reason behind all the insults: Kevorkian was risky as hell. He announced to the world that he believed in assisted suicide, and went on to claim over 130 "victims". People called him a murderer for this, although when taken to court, Kevorkian asked the jury if they could look at him and envision a killer. Kevorkian was not a killer. He was perhaps too risky for the likes of most people, but he was no serial murderer. He never killed anyone. In the film, he even refuses to offer his services to a suicidal man who no longer has the usage of his legs. That particular man was not troubled enough for the likes of Kevorkian. However, Kevorkian did help to assist other people in suicide. But this was purely their intention, and Jack wanted the best for them. His vision was to end suffering, and people decided to debate against that. I found is kind of ridiculous that anyone would want to argue against Jack's beliefs. Kevorkian was a smart man who knew what he was doing. He was not a visionary by any means, but he wanted to help people more than he wanted to hurt them. Assisting suicide is no sin, but it is no good deed either. It is a rather unholy task, but I do not see it as (entirely) wrong. "You Don't Know Jack" is a fully engrossing drama/biopic. It captures the life and times of Jack Kevorkian so vividly and almost makes us like the guy. The story remains pretty faithful to the facts, although as with all biopics it is not entirely flawless in its portrayal. How could it be? That's essentially impossible to do. However, it is not impossible to make a thoroughly entertaining film out of a fascinating premise. This is a worthwhile story, and if you hated Kevorkian then you will not see him any differently. However, this film is insightful enough to be one of the finest films of 2010, and it didn't even make it to the cinemas. That's a heck of a shame. I have always had a rough past with Al Pacino. In all honesty, he has had a rough career over the last few years. However, Jack Kevorkian is one of his best characters in years. Pacino works to the best of his ability and mysteriously pulls off something that could easily be called one of the most surprising if not best performances of the year. This really is a shocker, since I didn't expect that Pacino could pull it off quite like this. But it's the surprises that hit you the hardest, and in this case, hitting the viewer hard it a good thing. "You Don't Know Jack" also co-stars Danny Huston, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Brenda Vaccaro. Everyone seems to work together well, and overall this is good enough proof that HBO is the channel to go to if you want to see real actors perform in real films. It's somewhat of a shocker that "You Don't Know Jack" can strike an emotional cord. This drama has a sentimental side given the subject matter, and everything is handled nicely. There were some moments that the film could have done without, but otherwise it was pure brilliance. Kevorkian is somewhat of an endearing character in this film, which was probably intended but most of the time wouldn't have been. I say this because most films want you to despise the guy creating the controversy. "You Don't Know Jack" forces us, whether we like it or not, to follow Jack on he exploits and rise to infamous glory. He has his days of heaven, and he embraces them. However, he knows that in the end he will face legal action. Why must daring men endure such a thing? Perhaps it is because this is the price one pays for being risky. Kevorkian was willing to pay the price fully, as long as it didn't involve any real money. Aside from being dramatic, "You Don't Know Jack" looks mighty fine. The cinematography is great, and the picture quality is as good as an HBO-produced film should be. The music is also quite good, and it proves furthermore that HBO films are the best made-for-TV films, period. "You Don't Know Jack" interested me throughout, and I recommend it to anyone who is open to the insight that it provides. After all, it's just a biopic. What's the worst that it could do? In all honesty, I really found myself enjoying "You Don't Know Jack". I am not overly familiar with the life of Jack Kevorkian, but that does not mean that this film lacks the ability to do him justice. In fact, this film DOES do the man justice and a hell of a lot of it too. This is the best biopic Kevorkian will ever get, given the high amount of emotional resonance and power that it contains. It also contains moments of tense court-room drama, and manages to entertain the audience throughout. One could even call it riveting. It works on so many levels, it really does. If you haven't heard of it, then I recommend that you see it. If you have, then good for you: we can officially converse. I am interested to see what others think of this feature. I would also be interested in seeing what those who don't favor it think. I must know both sides of the story, after all. Look where Jack ended up due to our lack of action in doing so. Perhaps it we can understand each-other, we can defy all things such as religion and law and focus solely on what is right; even if right equals different. To Jack, it does equal different. He went out of his way to promote what he thought was right, and he shocked a nation. Think about it; we would do it too if we had to. We can sympathize for the man; in the film at least. And if the film is a solid replica of Jack, then I would have been in favor of him in reality as well. Assisted suicide is no sin. Most "sins" aren't. They are merely misunderstood actions which most people aren't in favor of, and assisted suicide is a misunderstood thing. However, I walked away from this film not knowing what to think of such a concept. I have never taken part of it. Perhaps I never will. But I do not see it as wrong. After all, people have a right to die. And I respect people.

• Christopher H

  
  Great biopic with an absolutely amazing cast. Al Pacino, John Goodman, and Danny Huston deliver high caliber performances. Have to say, however, Danny Huston steals the show. I learned a lot about the Kevorkian scandal and was entertained. You forget that Pacino actually isn't… More
  Great biopic with an absolutely amazing cast. Al Pacino, John Goodman, and Danny Huston deliver high caliber performances. Have to say, however, Danny Huston steals the show. I learned a lot about the Kevorkian scandal and was entertained. You forget that Pacino actually isn't Kevorkian :D

• Sarah P

  
  I thought it was a great movie. Al Pacino did a fantastic job and I think this is a story that really needs to be told.

• matt s

  
  I mean it's good to see Pacino and Goodman actually acting again, but your enjoyment level of the film depends on how liberal you are. It makes you think, but at the same time, if you're not a Kevorkian fan, then this won't do anything to change your mind. I feel like… More
  I mean it's good to see Pacino and Goodman actually acting again, but your enjoyment level of the film depends on how liberal you are. It makes you think, but at the same time, if you're not a Kevorkian fan, then this won't do anything to change your mind. I feel like this movie probably wanted to do that, but it doesn't do it as successfully as it should.

• Jason R

  
  Al Pacino was absolutley astounding as Dr. Jack Kevorkian, and the supporting cast was phenomenal. John Goodman and Danny Huston were excellent, and Brenda Vaccaro who plays Jack's sister Margo stole every scene she was in. The film touches on the life of one of the more… More
  Al Pacino was absolutley astounding as Dr. Jack Kevorkian, and the supporting cast was phenomenal. John Goodman and Danny Huston were excellent, and Brenda Vaccaro who plays Jack's sister Margo stole every scene she was in. The film touches on the life of one of the more colorful and controversial personalities of the 20th Century, and at the center of the film is one of the most talked about and argued issues in America, the Right-to-Die issue. A really engaging film that keeps your attention from start to finish! A really, really great cast makes this worth watching and HBO proves once again that they can produce great films. Definitely check this one out!

• Movee C

  
  Highly controversial look into the mind of the infamous Dr. Jack Kervorkian. The film gives you a glimpse behind the man who became a crimminal after performing an assisted-suicide on tv camera.

Read all 16 featured audience ratings