The House That Jack Built (2013 film) explained

The House That Jack Built
Director:Henry Barrial
Cinematography:Luca Del Puppo
Editing:Eric Strand
Studio:Walk Up Productions
Distributor:Vega Baby Releasing
Runtime:87 minutes[1]
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$130,000[2]

The House That Jack Built is a 2013 American drama film directed by Henry Barrial and written by Joseph B. Vasquez. It stars E. J. Bonilla in the title role, with Melissa Fumero, Saundra Santiago, Leo Minaya, Desmin Borges, John Herrera, Flor De Liz Perez, and Rosal Colon in supporting roles. It follows an ambitious young Latino man who buys a small apartment building in the Bronx and moves his entire boisterous family in to live rent-free.

The film had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 16, 2013. It was released in select theaters and on VOD on November 6, 2015, by Vega Baby Releasing. It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances of the cast, particularly Bonilla.

Production

The House That Jack Built was directed by Henry Barrial from a screenplay that Joseph B. Vasquez had written before his death in 1995.[3] The film's producer, Michael Lieber, who was Vasquez's friend and colleague, helped Barrial revise the script and gave him a better understanding of Vasquez.[4] Principal photography began in May 2012 in New York,[3] and lasted 18 days, with an estimated $130,000 budget.[2]

Release

The House That Jack Built had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 16, 2013.[5] [6] [7] In September 2015, Vega Baby Releasing acquired North American distribution rights to the film. It was given a limited theatrical release on November 6, 2015, and was simultaneously released on video on demand.[8]

Reception

Critical response

Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter stated, "Working-class realism and a charismatic lead performance elevate a story that tends toward cliche." Linden also wrote, "Barrial taps into the everyday reality of his characters' New York with an impressive immediacy."[9]

Andy Webster of The New York Times described the film as "a New York City kitchen sink drama" and opined, "There is solid ensemble acting, particularly by Mr. Bonilla, who dependably anchors a movie that is almost too busy. There is theatrical excess, as well, in the unrelenting pileup of dramatic situations, which hobbles the film's credibility."[10]

Martin Tsai of the Los Angeles Times called the film "gritty and authentic" and commented, "The personality flaws of the characters and the dysfunctions of the household are instantly recognizable from this very capable cast, yet they never come off as cliché."[11]

Accolades

The House That Jack Built was awarded Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival.[12] It also won the Audience Award, while Barrial was given Best Director Narrative Feature at the 2014 Queens World Film Festival.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The House That Jack Built. Vega Baby Releasing. June 24, 2024.
  2. Barrial. Henry. Lieber. Michael. Elia Esparza. Filmmakers on Making of "The House That Jack Built" at LAFF. Latin Heat. June 13, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180310035227/http://www.latinheat.com/everything-related-to-film/film/laff-filmmakers-interview-on-making-of-the-house-that-jack-built/. March 10, 2018. June 24, 2024.
  3. News: Fernandez. Jay A.. May 29, 2012. Screenplay From Late 'Hangin' With the Homeboys' Filmmaker Joseph B. Vasquez Goes Into Production. live. IndieWire. https://web.archive.org/web/20230801192410/https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/screenplay-from-late-hangin-with-the-homeboys-filmmaker-joseph-b-vasquez-goes-into-production-47094/. August 1, 2023. June 28, 2024.
  4. News: Ferguson. Dana. June 15, 2013. L.A. Film Fest: Rebuilding Joe Vasquez's 'House that Jack Built'. live. Los Angeles Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20160201043812/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/15/news/la-mn-adv-laff-thehousethatjackbuilt-20130613. February 1, 2016. June 28, 2024.
  5. May 1, 2013. ANNOUNCING 2013 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL LINE-UP. Film Independent. June 28, 2024.
  6. News: Caceres. Juan. May 15, 2013. LatinoBuzz: The House That Joseph B. Vasquez Built. unfit. SydneysBuzz. https://web.archive.org/web/20160215032106/http://blogs.indiewire.com/sydneylevine/latinobuzz-the-house-that-joseph-b-vasquez-built. February 15, 2016. June 28, 2024.
  7. News: Travers. Ben. June 7, 2013. Watch: Exclusive Trailer for LA Film Festival Family Drama, 'The House That Jack Built'. IndieWire. June 28, 2024.
  8. News: McNary. Dave. September 4, 2015. E.J. Bonilla's 'The House That Jack Built' Gets November Release. live. Variety. https://web.archive.org/web/20200421160645/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/e-j-bonilla-the-house-that-jack-built-release-date-1201585565/. April 21, 2020. June 28, 2024.
  9. News: Linden. Sheri. June 26, 2013. The House that Jack Built: LAFF Review. live. The Hollywood Reporter. https://web.archive.org/web/20210801220908/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/house-jack-built-laff-review-575828/. August 1, 2021. June 29, 2024.
  10. News: Webster. Andy. November 5, 2015. Review: 'The House That Jack Built,' a Gritty, Busy Tale of the City. live. The New York Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20220616133158/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/movies/review-the-house-that-jack-built-a-gritty-busy-tale-of-the-city.html. June 16, 2022. June 29, 2024.
  11. News: Tsai. Martin. December 10, 2015. Review: 'The House That Jack Built' an uproarious portrait of a less-than-perfect family. live. Los Angeles Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20240114172312/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-house-jack-built-movie-review-20151211-story.html. January 14, 2024. June 29, 2024.
  12. Web site: FEATURE FILM AWARDS. Phoenix Film Festival. June 29, 2024. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20240515175453/https://www.phoenixfilmfestival.com/awards-1. May 15, 2024.
  13. Web site: QUEENS WORLD FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS. Queens World Film Festival. June 29, 2024. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20240324203154/https://queensworldfilmfestival.org/winningfilms/. March 24, 2024.

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