Movie Review: The Jacket

There have been lots of movies that play around with time and time travel. John Mabury's The Jacket creates an intriguing fresh story using an old premise. Jack Starks (Adrian Brody) has returned from the Gulf War where he was traumatised to the extent that he lost his memory. He doesn't know who he is or where he is. He is arrested by the police for murder -- a murder he cannot remember committing. He's found not guilty by reason of insanity and placed in a psychiatric institution where Dr Becker (Kris Kristofferson), his psychiatrist, treats him using a controversial method where he is tied up in a straitjacket, given drugs, and enclosed in a mortuary drawer -- this is supposed to help Jack regain his identity. While he is there he hallucinates as a result of the sensory deprivation and travels from a forward into the future where he discovers he only has four days to live in the time he has come from. Jack has to work out what is going on and what he will do to solve his dilemma. This film is a real mind bender. It also explores some interesting ethical issues. It also stars Keira Knightley as a love interest for Jack. If you're looking for an interesting movie that will provoke your thinking and stay with you after you leave the cinema, then The Jacket will fit you well. My Rating: **** (out of 5) Positive Review 'The first great film of 2005.' - Luke Y Thompson/Dallas Observer Negative Review 'In this case, the adage would go something like "material, material, material," also known as the Nicolas Cage Rule: Good acting can't overcome bad taste.' - Ann Hornaday/Washington Post Content Warning violence, language and brief sexuality/nudity