Theology Parallels in "The Jacket"

I came across some striking parallels between the protagonist in the film and the Christ figure, and my mind was reeling as I began to dissect the depth of the compelling symbolism in this epic film.

The name ‘Jack’ originated from the original “John”in the Biblical sense. The Apostle John was Jesus’ brother, and his beloved disciple. He was one of the disciples and also among the close-knit inner circle with Jesus.

John was one of the few who saw the empty tomb. This parallels Jack’s character opening the “tomb” of the morgue drawer only to find his own body missing. At this point he realizes that he comes back to life.

 “The Greek name Ioannes is derived from the Hebrew Yohanan, which means literally, “Jehovah is gracious” (Jensen, 461).

The Apostle John also wrote the Gospel of John and a significant amount of the New Testament. Epistles are simply iconicized letters, symbolic of God’s word to his beloved to show them the way to Life.

In the same way, Jackie’s mother was trapped in a fog of despair, completely disconnected from meaning, but Jack’s words offer a new way of living.

Out of love, instead of saving himself, Jack comes to bring a letter in person, as Jesus came to be the Word of God in the form of Man. Jack delivers the letter but does not force her to listen or to read it. The importance of the message is quintessential to her healing and for a transformation in the relationship with her daughter, yet he simply asks her to believe him and hopes that she will read his words. He leaves without knowing if his death would make a difference, if she would trust him at his word and then follow it.

This is what Jesus did when he came to Earth. Jesus did teach in parables, but the greatest commandment he gave us is to love, and he said that the greatest expression of love is not in word but in deed. In fact, that deed is laying down one’s life for one’s friends. Both Jesus and Jack’s characters willingly choose death on behalf of others out of love. Jesus gave his love in the highest form by sacrificing his own life, not knowing if we would even choose Him.

In the same way, Jack offers healing and receives rejection. Both Jackie and her mother try to send him away, and Jean completely disregards his intervention on the side of the road as he repairs her truck. Jesus was also betrayed, beaten, humiliated, and falsely accused by the very people he came to rescue.

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