Jack Frost (1998 film)
Encyclopedia
Jack Frost is a 1998
Christmas film, starring Michael Keaton
and Kelly Preston
. Keaton stars as the title character, a man who dies in a car accident and comes back to life as a snowman
. Three of Frank Zappa
's four children: Dweezil Zappa
, Ahmet Zappa
, and Moon Unit Zappa
, appear in the film.
In the United States the film is rated PG by the MPAA.
) is the lead singer in a band simply titled "The Jack Frost Band", who make their living performing blues covers and an assortment of their own songs in the hope of signing a record deal. He then returns to his son Charlie (Joseph Cross), who has just returned from an epic snowball fight. They spend some quality time by building a snowman in their front yard. Afterward, Jack tucks Charlie into bed and gives him a harmonica, which he tells Charlie he got the day Charlie was born. He then jokes with Charlie, telling him that it's magical, and he'll be able to hear the harmonica wherever he is. Jack promises his wife Gabby (Kelly Preston
) that he will attend his son's hockey game. However, he misses the hockey game in favor of recording the ironically named "Don't Lose Your Faith". Jack then promises to take his family on a Christmas trip to the mountains, but is called in on a gig that could either make or break his career. On his way to the gig, Jack realizes his mistake and borrows his best friend Mac's (Mark Addy
) car to go home and be with his family. Unfortunately, a bad storm begins to block his view. Due to a faulty windshield wiper on Mac's car, Jack is unable to navigate through the storm, and as a result, he crashes his car, and is killed instantly (offscreen).
One year later, Charlie, depressed over his father's death, withdraws from all contact with his friends. One night, Charlie makes another snowman that bears as much of a resemblance to Jack as he can remember of him and plays Jack's golden harmonica just before going to sleep. This causes the snowman in the front yard to come to life with Jack's voice, memories and personality. Jack attempts to greet Charlie, but ends up terrifying him with his uncanny appearance. Jack walks into the night and contemplates his fate. The next morning, Charlie discovers Jack in his yard and attempts to run away from him. When Charlie winds up in the snowball battlefield, Jack pelts the other children with snowballs and manages to grab Charlie. Jack escapes with Charlie on a sled whilst the enraged children pursue them. After losing the pursuers, Charlie realizes that the snowman is his father and embraces him.
Jack befriends Charlie and teaches him the values that he never got to teach him when he was alive. After giving him some hockey lessons, Jack convinces Charlie to rejoin the hockey team instead of continuing to grieve over his death. In the meantime, Mac tries to be a father figure for Charlie. The two gradually bond, while Mac and Gabby slowly develop romantic feelings for each other. Charlie goes on to become the best player on the team. As winter approaches its end, Charlie decides to take Jack to the mountains where it is colder. Charlie attempts to convince his mother to take Jack there, but has a difficult time doing so. Charlie then comes across Rory Buck (Taylor Handley
), the school bully, who sympathizes with Charlie not having a father (he himself also lost his father, as mentioned earlier in the film) and helps him sneak Jack onto a truck en route to the mountains, where the isolated cabin, that the family was going to stay at a year earlier before Jack's death, stands. Jack calls up Gabby, convinces her that he is Jack Frost and tells her to come to the cabin if she wishes to see Charlie again. Jack tells Charlie that he has to leave. When his wife arrives, the snowman shell dissipates, and Jack becomes an angel. After saying his final farewells to Gabby and Charlie, Jack returns to the afterlife.
In the closing moments of the film, Charlie plays hockey with his friends (now joined by Rory) while Gabby happily watches, and Mac, now Gabby's boyfriend, plays music on the piano.
Not all of these songs are available on the soundtrack CD however.
Featured on the CD release are:
gives the film a score of 16% based on 49 reviews.
Roger Ebert gave the film 1 out of 4, calling it, "the kind of movie that makes you want to take the temperature, if not feel for the pulse, of the filmmakers".
It went on to gross over $34.5 million in North America, becoming a box office flop.
starred together in the Touched by an Angel
episode "Psalm 151." Plus, Cross and Michael Keaton
appeared together in Desperate Measures, which was released the same year.
1998 in film
-Events:* February 14 - Sharon Stone marries Phil Bronstein.* Former child star Gary Coleman is charged with assaulting a young female bus driver at a California shopping mall.-Top grossing films:...
Christmas film, starring Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton
Michael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
and Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston is an American actress and former model.- Early years :Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Linda, was an administrator of a mental health center, and her father, who worked for an agricultural firm, drowned when Preston was three years old...
. Keaton stars as the title character, a man who dies in a car accident and comes back to life as a snowman
Snowman
A snowman is an anthropomorphic snow sculpture. They are customarily built by children as part of a family project in celebration of winter. In some cases, participants in winter festivals will build large numbers of snowmen...
. Three of Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
's four children: Dweezil Zappa
Dweezil Zappa
Dweezil Zappa is an American rock guitarist and occasional actor.-Early life:Zappa was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of musician Frank Zappa and Adelaide Gail Sloatman, who worked in business. He is the second of four siblings: his older sister, Moon, younger sister Diva and younger...
, Ahmet Zappa
Ahmet Zappa
Ahmet Emuukha Rodan Zappa is an American musician, actor and novelist.-Early life:Ahmet was born in Los Angeles, California, the third of four children born to businesswoman Adelaide Gail Sloatman and musician Frank Zappa. Ahmet's father was of Sicilian, Greek-Arab and French descent and his...
, and Moon Unit Zappa
Moon Unit Zappa
Moon Unit Zappa is an American actress, musician and author. She goes by the name Moon Zappa; "Unit" is her middle name.-Personal life:...
, appear in the film.
In the United States the film is rated PG by the MPAA.
Plot
Jack Frost (Michael KeatonMichael Keaton
Michael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
) is the lead singer in a band simply titled "The Jack Frost Band", who make their living performing blues covers and an assortment of their own songs in the hope of signing a record deal. He then returns to his son Charlie (Joseph Cross), who has just returned from an epic snowball fight. They spend some quality time by building a snowman in their front yard. Afterward, Jack tucks Charlie into bed and gives him a harmonica, which he tells Charlie he got the day Charlie was born. He then jokes with Charlie, telling him that it's magical, and he'll be able to hear the harmonica wherever he is. Jack promises his wife Gabby (Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston is an American actress and former model.- Early years :Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Linda, was an administrator of a mental health center, and her father, who worked for an agricultural firm, drowned when Preston was three years old...
) that he will attend his son's hockey game. However, he misses the hockey game in favor of recording the ironically named "Don't Lose Your Faith". Jack then promises to take his family on a Christmas trip to the mountains, but is called in on a gig that could either make or break his career. On his way to the gig, Jack realizes his mistake and borrows his best friend Mac's (Mark Addy
Mark Addy
Mark Addy Johnson is an English actor, best known for his roles as Detective Constable Gary Boyle in the UK sitcom The Thin Blue Line, Dave in the British film The Full Monty, father Bill Miller in the U.S...
) car to go home and be with his family. Unfortunately, a bad storm begins to block his view. Due to a faulty windshield wiper on Mac's car, Jack is unable to navigate through the storm, and as a result, he crashes his car, and is killed instantly (offscreen).
One year later, Charlie, depressed over his father's death, withdraws from all contact with his friends. One night, Charlie makes another snowman that bears as much of a resemblance to Jack as he can remember of him and plays Jack's golden harmonica just before going to sleep. This causes the snowman in the front yard to come to life with Jack's voice, memories and personality. Jack attempts to greet Charlie, but ends up terrifying him with his uncanny appearance. Jack walks into the night and contemplates his fate. The next morning, Charlie discovers Jack in his yard and attempts to run away from him. When Charlie winds up in the snowball battlefield, Jack pelts the other children with snowballs and manages to grab Charlie. Jack escapes with Charlie on a sled whilst the enraged children pursue them. After losing the pursuers, Charlie realizes that the snowman is his father and embraces him.
Jack befriends Charlie and teaches him the values that he never got to teach him when he was alive. After giving him some hockey lessons, Jack convinces Charlie to rejoin the hockey team instead of continuing to grieve over his death. In the meantime, Mac tries to be a father figure for Charlie. The two gradually bond, while Mac and Gabby slowly develop romantic feelings for each other. Charlie goes on to become the best player on the team. As winter approaches its end, Charlie decides to take Jack to the mountains where it is colder. Charlie attempts to convince his mother to take Jack there, but has a difficult time doing so. Charlie then comes across Rory Buck (Taylor Handley
Taylor Handley
Taylor Laurence Handley is an American actor.In 1998, Taylor played Rory Buck in the movie Jack Frost. In 2000, Handley starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Phantom of the Megaplex. Handley appeared in three episodes during the last season of Dawson's Creek and guest starred during an...
), the school bully, who sympathizes with Charlie not having a father (he himself also lost his father, as mentioned earlier in the film) and helps him sneak Jack onto a truck en route to the mountains, where the isolated cabin, that the family was going to stay at a year earlier before Jack's death, stands. Jack calls up Gabby, convinces her that he is Jack Frost and tells her to come to the cabin if she wishes to see Charlie again. Jack tells Charlie that he has to leave. When his wife arrives, the snowman shell dissipates, and Jack becomes an angel. After saying his final farewells to Gabby and Charlie, Jack returns to the afterlife.
In the closing moments of the film, Charlie plays hockey with his friends (now joined by Rory) while Gabby happily watches, and Mac, now Gabby's boyfriend, plays music on the piano.
Cast
- Michael KeatonMichael KeatonMichael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
as Jack Frost - Kelly PrestonKelly PrestonKelly Preston is an American actress and former model.- Early years :Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Linda, was an administrator of a mental health center, and her father, who worked for an agricultural firm, drowned when Preston was three years old...
as Gabby Frost - Joseph Cross as Charlie Frost
- Mark AddyMark AddyMark Addy Johnson is an English actor, best known for his roles as Detective Constable Gary Boyle in the UK sitcom The Thin Blue Line, Dave in the British film The Full Monty, father Bill Miller in the U.S...
as Mac MacArthur - Henry RollinsHenry RollinsHenry Rollins is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, writer, comedian, publisher, actor, and radio DJ....
as Sid Gronic - Andy Lawrence as Tuck Gronic
- Eli MarienthalEli MarienthalEli David Marienthal is an American former child actor.-Personal life:Marienthal was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Marienthal, who manufactures bags made of organically grown cotton, and Joseph Cross, a journalist. Marienthal is Jewish and has two siblings, actors Harley Cross...
as Spencer - Mika BooremMika BooremMika Sue Boorem is an American actress who has appeared in the films Blue Crush , Carolina , Sleepover , and Smile ....
as Natalie - Will RothhaarWill RothhaarWill Rothhaar is an American actor.Rothhaar was born in New York City, New York, the son of Michael Rothhaar and Nancy Linehan Charles, both of whom are playwrights, actors and directors....
as Dennis - Taylor HandleyTaylor HandleyTaylor Laurence Handley is an American actor.In 1998, Taylor played Rory Buck in the movie Jack Frost. In 2000, Handley starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Phantom of the Megaplex. Handley appeared in three episodes during the last season of Dawson's Creek and guest starred during an...
as Rory Buck
Music
The film features 22 tracks:- Frosty the Snowman - The Jack Frost Band
- Roll with the Changes - REO SpeedwagonREO SpeedwagonREO Speedwagon is an American rock band. Formed in 1967, the band grew in popularity during the 1970s and peaked in the early 1980s. Hi Infidelity is the group's most commercially successful album, selling over ten million copies and charting four Top 40 hits in the US...
- Merry Christmas Baby - HansonHanson (band)Hanson are an American pop rock band formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by brothers Isaac , Taylor , and Zac Hanson . They are best known for the 1997 hit song "MMMBop" from their major label debut album Middle of Nowhere, which earned three Grammy nominations...
- Everytime We Say Goodbye - Cole PorterCole PorterCole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
- Rock and Roll (Part 2) - Gary GlitterGary GlitterGary Glitter is an English former glam rock singer-songwriter and musician.Glitter first came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s...
- Don't Lose Your Faith - The Jack Frost Band
- Can't Let Go - Lucinda WilliamsLucinda WilliamsLucinda Williams is an American rock, folk, blues and country music singer and songwriter. She recorded her first albums in 1978 and 1980 in a traditional country and blues style and received very little attention from radio, the media, or the public. In 1988, she released her self-titled album,...
- Leavin' Again - Steve PoltzSteve PoltzSteve Poltz is a Canadian-born American singer-songwriter and guitarist based in San Diego, California. He is a founding member of the indie-rock band The Rugburns and is best known for co-writing the #2 Jewel song "You Were Meant for Me"...
- Couldn't Stand the Weather - Stevie Ray VaughanStevie Ray VaughanStephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
- Landslide - Fleetwood MacFleetwood MacFleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
- Free Ride - The Edgar WinterEdgar WinterEdgar Holland Winter is an American musician. He is famous for being a multi-instrumentalist. He is a highly skilled keyboardist, saxophonist and percussionist. He often plays an instrument while singing. He was most successful in the 1970s with his band, The Edgar Winter Group, notably with their...
Group - Hey Now Now - Swirl 360Swirl 360Swirl 360 is a melodic pop-rock band, founded by the twins Denny and Kenny Scott.-Biography:Swirl 360 was signed to Mercury Records and entered the recording studio in 1997. By December of that year, they had recorded several tracks to which label executives responded promisingly...
- Final Fire - Hans ZimmerHans ZimmerHans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
- Jingle Bell Rock - Michael SherwoodMichael SherwoodMichael Sherwood is a U.S. keyboardist and singer.-Biography:Michael Sherwood comes from a musical family which includes his father Bobby Sherwood, who was an actor, musician, and big band leader, his mother Phyllis and younger brother Billy...
- Hot in the City - Billy IdolBilly IdolWilliam Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
- Gimme Some Lovin - HansonHanson (band)Hanson are an American pop rock band formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by brothers Isaac , Taylor , and Zac Hanson . They are best known for the 1997 hit song "MMMBop" from their major label debut album Middle of Nowhere, which earned three Grammy nominations...
- Sleigh Ride - Spice GirlsSpice GirlsThe Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
- Slow Ride - FoghatFoghatFoghat are a British rock band that had their peak success in the mid- to late-1970s. Their style can be described as "blues-rock," or boogie-rock dominated by electric and electric slide guitar. The band has achieved five gold records...
- Five Candles (You Were There) - Jars of ClayJars of ClayJars of Clay is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. They met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.Jars of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars and Matthew Odmark on rhythm guitars...
- How - Lisa LoebLisa LoebLisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay ". She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract.Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over...
- Father's Love - Bob CarlisleBob CarlisleBob Carlisle is a Grammy Award and Dove Award-winning American musician who performs Christian music. He performed with several bands, most notably Allies and Billy Thermal, before launching a solo career...
- Good Lovin - HansonHanson (band)Hanson are an American pop rock band formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by brothers Isaac , Taylor , and Zac Hanson . They are best known for the 1997 hit song "MMMBop" from their major label debut album Middle of Nowhere, which earned three Grammy nominations...
Not all of these songs are available on the soundtrack CD however.
Featured on the CD release are:
Critical response
The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
gives the film a score of 16% based on 49 reviews.
Roger Ebert gave the film 1 out of 4, calling it, "the kind of movie that makes you want to take the temperature, if not feel for the pulse, of the filmmakers".
Box office
Produced on an $85 million budget, the film took $7 million on its opening weekend.It went on to gross over $34.5 million in North America, becoming a box office flop.
Production
Both Joseph Cross and Mika BooremMika Boorem
Mika Sue Boorem is an American actress who has appeared in the films Blue Crush , Carolina , Sleepover , and Smile ....
starred together in the Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della...
episode "Psalm 151." Plus, Cross and Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton
Michael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
appeared together in Desperate Measures, which was released the same year.