I AM JACKS SCENE ANALYSIS

 

INSOMNIA & THE SUPPORT GROUPS

In the beginning of the movie we see Jack begging the doctor for pills to help with his insomnia. The doctor makes an off-hand remark that having real pain is being one of the men at the testicular cancer support group, which Jack then attends. Here we find men talking about their wives who left them in their time of need. Jack meets 'Bob', who after abusing steroids has caused him to grow breasts. During their one-on-one 'crying sessions' where Jack is pressed up against Bob's feminine 'breasts', he discovers that he finds comfort in them and begins to let go … he starts to cry, which results in one of the best nights sleep he's had in ages. Going to a support group, where people share their feelings (a traditionally feminine trait) for testicular cancer, alludes to the fact that a man who's had his testicles removed is essentially a women. But it is here that Jack finds comfort, in the arms of a man, Bob, with highly feminine qualities (his testicles have been removed, he shares his feelings and he has 'breasts'). 'Every evening I died. And every evening I was born again … resurrected' comments Jack upon leaving one of his meetings (DVD TIME CUE: 00:11:05). Jack finds relief from his emotionless and drab consumer driven life, represented by his insomnia (a mental disturbance) in the release of this pent up frustration, which allows him to finally sleep. At his brain cancer meeting he is encouraged to engaged in a meditative technique of mental imagery where participants picture their 'cave' upon which entering they find their 'power animal'. Jack discovers his is a playful Penguin that cryptically says to him 'Slide!'. The figure of the Penguin serves as a mirror of Jack's entrapment. A bird incapable of flight … [it also] presents Jacks power animal as a creature at once enchained by civilized servility [as a Penguin forever wears a 'tuxedo'] (Gronstad). The insomnia returns once again however upon the arrival of a women, Marla Singer, who like Jack is an imposter at the support groups but finds the same comfort that he does in them … When people think your dying, they really really listen to you … instead of just waiting for their turn to speak (DVD TIME CUE: 00:16:18). Or in other words, attention. Nevertheless, Jack must turn to something else to release his frustrations as he cannot cry in the presence of another faker (DVD TIME CUE:00:16:35).