Monday saw the surprise release on Netflix of a short film by renowned filmmaker, David Lynch. Of ‘Twin Peak’ fame, Lynch is known for his surrealist sensibilities. ‘What Did Jack Do?’ delivers in every “Lynchian” aspect.
The short film focuses on an interrogation between a grizzled detective and a monkey. Yes, the murder suspect is a Capuchin named Jack. The plot focuses on the exchange that takes place after the detective, played by Lynch, catches Jack at a train station due to a train delay. What comes next is a classic film noir interrogation full of pseudo-philosophical deflections and hard boiled cliches.
Technique is Paramount in Creating Something So Unique
To craft the unique energy of ‘What Did Jack Do?’, Lynch balances visual effects old and new. The overlay of a human mouth on the monkey’s face is reminiscent of effects from the late 90s and early 00s. By using gritty film stock effects over black and white high definition cameras, Lynch creates what feels like the most mind blowing movie from the 40s.
The editing is highly stylistic and is another factor that plays into the feel of an old film. The static camera that cuts back and forth between characters during the interrogation adds to the tension of the film, forgoing the more dynamic camera that we are used to today.
The soundscape adds to the classic film effect as well. Before Jack breaks out into a climactic song — a scene which adds to the surrealism while giving a nod to the film noir era — there is a notable lack of music. There is no dramatic score adding to the tone, there are simply the tiny vocals and the bustling sounds of a train station in the background.
Jack’s voice is another element that creates a disjointed sense of time. The modulations put on the actor’s voice (probably Lynch himself) yield Stephen Hawking tones with a more natural delivery. The combination of the voice, the stunning — albeit at times glitchy — deepfaked mouth, and the Capuchin’s adorable, watery eyes, make your brain ask itself “what am I seeing?”
Ok, But Really. What is Going On?
Plot is secondary to style and technique in ‘What Did Jack Do?’. The short film is an exercise in atmosphere, something which Lynch executes flawlessly. You can smell the cigarettes and stale coffee through your television. In remarkable fashion, Lynch created a film that feels truly timeless, but not in the classic sense of the word. The short film is truly lacking a timestamp, embodying a strong noir vibe with a cynical modern appreciation. It is like a film ripped from a parallel universe.
It is hard to quantify something that is so unique and seemingly devoid of message. This short film is not for everyone, but it definitely achieves its goals in stunning fashion. The film is not trippy in the traditional sense, but it is definitely mind-boggling. It is a film noir fever dream. I personally rate it a 7/10 and recommend watching; if not for the appreciation of style and execution, then simply for the “wtf?” of it all.
