"Jack Frost" (1998)

Film Info...Reviews & Comments...Links...Buy

In "Jack Frost", Joe plays Charlie Frost, a hockey-loving son of a blues musician (played by Michael Keaton) who has more time for music than for Charlie. But when tragedy strikes, Charlie's dad gets a second chance to be the father he never could be -- this time as a snowman! Although not treated too kindly by critics (to put it mildly!), I thought "Jack Frost" was a warm, cozy family film that could easily be a family Christmas classic to anyone who responds to it. The key, of course, is Joe's performance who has to essentially carry the film. And he does with flying colors, portraying a wide range of emotions with ease, naturalness and sympathy. A talking snowman? Why not? Nobody complained when "Superman" came out about a flying man! Sorry...but it just busts my chops how "Jack Frost" got such a raw deal from critics and the box office. Don't take their word for it...Don't even wait 'til Christmas! "Jack Frost" will warm your heart any time of year!

Film Info

Release Date: December 11, 1998
Total Box-Office Gross (US Dollars): $35,545,000
Running time: 102m
Released by: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Troy Miller
Cast:

• Joseph Cross...Charlie Frost
• Michael Keaton...Jack Frost
• Kelly Preston...Gabby Frost
• Mark Addy...Mac MacArthur
• Andy Lawrence...Tuck
• Mika Boorem...Natalie
• Taylor Handley...Rory Buck

Trivia/Notes:

• This was the directorial debut of Troy Miller.
• Scenes were filmed near Lake Tahoe in the rustic mountain town of Truckee, California.
• The scenic winter look of the film was inspired by the children's holiday classic book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg.

Reviews & Comments

"Warm, likeable performances..."
-- Leonard Maltin, Leonard Maltin'ss Movie & Video Guide

"...The family's trauma is realistic, portrayed with extreme efficiency by Preston and Cross. Cross especially is stunning, and an Academy Award nomination isn't too likely."
"...But it's Joseph Cross, who played opposite Keaton in the thriller Desperate Measures, who gives the film a purpose. The relationship between father and son is straight from a storybook. The emotional connection with the audience comes directly from Cross and he handles it very well."
-- Aros.net, Online reviewers

"Wonderful!"
-- Joel Siegel, Good Morning, Ameriica

"Non-stop magical fun. The best in family entertainment."
-- Joanna Levenglick, Kids News Nettwork

Links

Official Website from Warner Bros. for "Jack Frost".
Joseph's Interview on the WB site in which he talks about making the movie with happy and sad scenes.
My transcript of the interview.
IMDB Entry for "Jack Frost"
San Francisco Examiner -- This newspaper should get an award for their critics liking Joseph's movies!
Laszlo Kovacs -- The cinematographer of "Jack Frost" is profiled in an interesting article with some cool behind the scenes info on the making of the movie.
Aros.net -- Boy! If only all reviewers could have supported it the way these guys did. And look at what cool things they said about Joseph's performance too!

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