On a locked down train car, two individuals, a detective (David Lynch) and a monkey named Jack Cruz (Jack Cruz), discuss a murder. While the two have an indiscernible conversation, the detective’s goal is to figure out one thing: What Did Jack Do? Can he solve the mystery before it’s too late, or are other lives still in danger?
What Did Jack Do? is a jumbled mess of nothing. Viewers are overcome with confusion in the opening moments and that confusion never relents. This is the impression that viewers have at least, and that impression is warranted. My grandfather and I, for fun, and in an attempt to confuse anyone who might be listening to us, will often abort a conversation and begin talking in nonsensical terms such as “when the sky turns orange and you spin around everything will work out.” We’ve been doing this for years and we never grow tired of confusing the heck out of anyone within earshot. What Lynch creates between Jack and the detective reminds me of the conversations I have with my grandfather, forcing me to feel that what is being said has little to no meaning and is simply used as a way to befuddle and agitate viewers.
Now, while it seems quite clear that nearly every word uttered throughout the course of the film is nonsensical, I refuse to accept that the man who wrote Eraserhead doesn’t have some hidden meaning behind this asinine flick. However, depth and intellect don’t necessarily make a film entertaining. I would venture to guess that the majority of individuals who take the time to watch What Did Jack Do? struggle to understand at least some of what is being said between Jack and the detective. The disconnect that is present in every single viewing session makes it difficult for viewers to appreciate what Lynch is trying to accomplish; and for the life of me I can’t figure out what that is.
While the way in which What Did Jack Do? plays out certainly turns viewers off to the film, I refuse to accept what can only be described as defeat. I refuse to believe that there isn’t some hidden meaning buried deep within the film, and I’m determined to uncover what Lynch has concealed from the audience. In many ways Lynch’s approach toward What Did Jack Do? is cynical, as it forces viewers to question their own mental capacity and struggle with the nonsense strewn throughout the film. However, His approach forces viewers, who care even the slightest bit, to conduct research and do their best to get to the bottom of the film. Lynch has created a following for What Did Jack Do? without those followers being aware. While the film itself is questionable in terms of art, he clearly has a genuine understanding of what it takes to reel in an audience and make them feel, in many ways, helpless. The idea of being helpless is typically less than enjoyable, however, Lynch manages to flip this idea on its noggin and present viewers with some sort of appreciation for the sentiment.
Like What Did Jack Do?, my understanding and criticism of the film is all over the place. It feels impossible to come to one, definitive understanding of what Lynch is attempting to accomplish with his short film. It’s difficult to derive anything from What Did Jack Do? with any level of certainty because of the odd way in which the film was written. Regardless of what viewers take away from the film, however, it appears that Lynch is successful in his approach as he is able to manipulate viewers into digging deeper into his film long after it has ended.
Written & Directed by David Lynch.
Starring Jack Cruz, David Lynch, Toototabon, & Emily Stofle.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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