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The House That Jack Built (2013 film)

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The House That Jack Built
Directed byHenry Barrial
Written byJoseph B. Vasquez
Produced by
  • Michael Lieber
  • Hitesh Patel
  • Sam Kitt
  • Mark Stolaroff
Starring
CinematographyLuca Del Puppo
Edited byEric Strand
Music by
Production
company
Walk Up Productions
Distributed byVega Baby Releasing
Release dates
  • June 16, 2013 (2013-06-16) (LAFF)
  • November 6, 2015 (2015-11-06) (United States)
Running time
87 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
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.

Plot

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Cast

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  • E. J. Bonilla as Jack Maldonado
  • Melissa Fumero as Lily
  • Leo Minaya as Richie
  • Flor De Liz Perez as Rosa
  • Saundra Santiago as Martha
  • John Herrera as Carlos
  • Rosal Colon as Nadia
  • Javier Muñoz as Hector
  • Desmin Borges as Manny
  • Danny Henriquez as Willie
  • Raymond T. Williams as Tommy
  • Judith Delgado as Abuela
  • Jose Soto as Flea
  • Fidel Vicioso as Chino
  • George Bass as Priest
  • William De Jesus Suarez as Drug Addict
  • Nathalie Lyon as Marie
  • Dolores Fleming as Sada
  • Julio Angel Feijoo as Indio
  • Perry Martijena as Young Jack
  • Isabela Merced as Young Nadia
  • Jeremy Fernandez as Young Richie
  • Tyler Alvarez as Young Hector
  • Jonah Rosario as Young Manny

Production

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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

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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

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Critical response

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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

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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]

References

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  1. ^ "The House That Jack Built". Vega Baby Releasing. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Barrial, Henry; Lieber, Michael (June 13, 2013). "Filmmakers on Making of "The House That Jack Built" at LAFF". Latin Heat (Interview). Interviewed by Elia Esparza. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Fernandez, Jay A. (May 29, 2012). "Screenplay From Late 'Hangin' With the Homeboys' Filmmaker Joseph B. Vasquez Goes Into Production". IndieWire. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  4. ^ Ferguson, Dana (June 15, 2013). "L.A. Film Fest: Rebuilding Joe Vasquez's 'House that Jack Built'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "ANNOUNCING 2013 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL LINE-UP" (Press release). Film Independent. May 1, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  6. ^ Caceres, Juan (May 15, 2013). "LatinoBuzz: The House That Joseph B. Vasquez Built". SydneysBuzz. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ Travers, Ben (June 7, 2013). "Watch: Exclusive Trailer for LA Film Festival Family Drama, 'The House That Jack Built'". IndieWire. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  8. ^ McNary, Dave (September 4, 2015). "E.J. Bonilla's 'The House That Jack Built' Gets November Release". Variety. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Linden, Sheri (June 26, 2013). "The House that Jack Built: LAFF Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  10. ^ Webster, Andy (November 5, 2015). "Review: 'The House That Jack Built,' a Gritty, Busy Tale of the City". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  11. ^ Tsai, Martin (December 10, 2015). "Review: 'The House That Jack Built' an uproarious portrait of a less-than-perfect family". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  12. ^ "FEATURE FILM AWARDS". Phoenix Film Festival. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  13. ^ "QUEENS WORLD FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS". Queens World Film Festival. Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
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