Jack the Bear

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Cast

Danny DeVito
as John Leary

Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
as Jack Leary

Miko Hughes
as Dylan Leary

Gary Sinise
as Norman Strick

Julia Louis-Dreyfus
as Peggy Etinger

Art LaFleur
as Mr. Festinger

Stefan Gierasch
as Grandpa Glickes

Erica Yohn
as Grandma Glickes

Andrea Marcovicci
as Elizabeth Leary

Reese Witherspoon
as Karen Morris

Bert Remsen
as Mr. Mitchell

Mary Goldberg

Carl Gabriel Yorke
as Gordon Layton

Lee Garlington
as Mrs. Festinger

Lorinne Vozoff
as Mrs. Mitchell

Justin Mosley Spink
as Dexter Mitchell

Jahary Bennett
as Michael

Lillian Hightower Domio
as Mrs. Sampson

Troy W. Slaten
as Edward Festinger

Jessica Steinmiller
as Katie Festinger

Douglas Tolbert
as Ray

Christopher Lawford
as Vince Buccini

Cliff Bemis
as Detective Marker

Charles Dugan
as Mr. Strick

Marion Dugan
as Mrs. Strick

Sam Freed
as Mr. Morris

Dorothy Lyman
as Mrs. Morris

Paul Wilson
as Street Worker

Kevin McDermott
as Cop

Rob Dunn
as Construction Worker

Christy Botkin
as Nursery School Teacher

Vonna Bowen
as Nurse

Steven McCall
as Studio Technician

Donovan Leitch
as Grad Student

Sarah Bork
as Grad Student

Dena Goodmanson
as Grad Student

Paul S. Wilson
as Street Worker

Scott Thomson
as Street Worker

George E. Clayton Jr.
as Backhoe Driver

Monica Calhoun
as Sondra

Kelly Connell
as Fireman

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Critic Reviews for Jack the Bear

Audience Reviews for Jack the Bear

• Jul 28, 2016

  I was happy to see that another reviewer equated this movie to 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. While 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a classic on a much larger scale, both movies depict small children coming of age, innocent but exposed to prejudice, and mother-less with a caring father. The way the author shows moments of childhood is raw, not over-stated, or "Hollywood"... just honest. However, I did not like the title. It was a turn-off. Nor am I a Danny DeVito fan, but I did like him in this movie. Glad I watched this movie anyway. Many people rave about DeVito's acting, but it was the two children who amazed me. HOW did they get a toddle to act so naturally?!? Usually, little kids over-act (and are annoying), but not these two. When older brother stuck his younger brother by the evil dogs, the toddler cried in fear, and it was so realistic, it was frightening. And when the older boy cried, "Daddy!" on the tree limb near the end, again, it was so realistic, so it wasn't corny. However, there were a few flaws. Mostly, the older brother's haircut was painful to see. And when the children were laughing hysterically to DeVito's jokes, it felt a little forced, because he wasn't that funny. And why did the girlfriend dump Jack so suddenly? Maybe because this is what happens in real life, and this movie was all about r-e-a-l l-i-f-e... no Hollywood. That's also why it had a Mockingbird feel.
  Amy A Super Reviewer
• Oct 21, 2009

  Great movie but disturbing
  Brody M Super Reviewer
• Jan 25, 2008

  this was a good drama, with a very young reese witherspoon. good film about a single father struggling to bring up his two young sons
  Andrea C Super Reviewer
• Jan 12, 2008

  I had no idea what this movie was about when I first saw it. I thought it was simply going to be a cute kids movie about learning to love your quirky next door neighbor. I should have known better, as Gary Sinise always plays evil so well. It was a little scary there at the end but everything ended up ok. I enjoyed seeing a young Reese Witherspoon!
  Ida K Super Reviewer

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