My Boy Jack (2007)

While doing a play with Edward Herrmann in the 1980’s English actor David Haig was first made aware of his resemblance to the British author and imperial apologist Rudyard Kipling. So endowed Haig searched for a project that would let him play Kipling, finding none he began his own search for a story worth telling about the iconic author, and found it in the military service of the man’s son Jack. Severly myopic John “Jack” Kipling should never have been allowed to serve, but strings were pulled and the young man was commissioned a second lieutenant, only to be killed 2 weeks into his service on the continent, one day after his 18th birthday.

My Boy Jack is the story of how John Kipling’s famous father helped got him into the service, how he pressured him, though at the same time Jack was also rearing to go in order that he might step out from behind the shadow of his father and make his own accomplishments (Jack here is appropriately played by Daniel Radcliffe). It is also the story of the affect of Jack’s death on the rest of the Kiplings. Jack was listed as missing in action and it took a great deal of time before the family learned his fate. This is well acted as we expect of British drama’s, Carey Mulligan (who is Oscar nominated this year) being a standout as Jack’s sister. One of the great things about the film is that its not all that epic, it's a story about a family in war time that just happens to endure the extra stress of being famous. Thumbs Up.