Jacknife (1989)

A conflict develops between a troubled Vietnam veteran and the sister he lives with when she becomes involved romantically with the army buddy who reminds him of the tragic battle they both... See full summary »

Director:

David Hugh Jones

Writers:

Stephen Metcalfe (play), Stephen Metcalfe (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Kathy Baker, Ed Harris

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Joseph 'Jacknife' Megessey
Kathy Baker	...	Martha Flannigan
Ed Harris	...	David 'High School' Flannigan
Sloane Shelton	...	Shirley
Ivar Brogger	...	Depot Mechanic
Michael Arkin	...	Dispatcher
Tom Isbell	...	Bobby 'Red Sox' Buckman
Kirk Taylor	...	Helicopter Gunner
Jordan Lund	...	Tiny
Charles S. Dutton	...	Jake, Veteran Encounter Group Leader (as Charles Dutton)
Bruce Ramsay	...	Corridor Student
Jessalyn Gilsig	...	His Girlfriend
George Gerdes	...	Tony
Josh Pais	...	Rick
Lois Dellar	...	Cocktail Waitress

Storyline

A conflict develops between a troubled Vietnam veteran and the sister he lives with when she becomes involved romantically with the army buddy who reminds him of the tragic battle they both survived.

---

Plot Keywords:

vietnam | vietnam veteran | alcoholism | post traumatic stress disorder | loneliness | 

---

Taglines:

Three buddies in Vietnam. Two survived. Only one is really alive.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bicska

Filming Locations:

Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$2,049,769 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineplex-Odeon Films, Kings Road Entertainment, Sandollar-Schaffel Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally set to be a star vehicle for Jeff Bridges.

---

Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

User Reviews

An emotional accomplishment...as the video cover infers.

A good video selection of a movie, especially if you have not seen it before, ...if you can't find a New Release you'd like to look at. Robert De Niro, Kathy Baker, and Ed Harris supply a well rounded look of 'Healing'. Kathy Baker was just great as a supporting role.

I missed Viet Nam by one year, my draft number was high enough in the year that the severe de-escalation started. This is not a 'Platoon', or 'Full Metal Jacket'. This film is about a couple of Vets in the years' aftermath. Takes place back in the States, after the War is over. Very few flashbacks were done, but were neccessary to bring context to the film. Ed Harris plays the one person who is in the most pain, and is always on the edge of hurting others because of it. Kathy Baker plays his sister. Robert De Niro was just perfect for the part he played, as he comes into both their lives. It is not a perfect film, or screenplay; but the the actors pull it off. I believe Ed Harris was nominated for a certain award for his efforts (not Oscar, another kind).

You don't have to have been to Viet Nam to appreciate this movie. Though it is about the aftermath of Viet Nam experience, it can also be about Self. About how we have these opposites within ourself and how the best parts of ourself, even though they may be injured, try to reach out and save the most darkest part that we have. That movie describes what I just wrote and I could not avoid tears, myself, toward the movie's end. If you just stay with it; you may know or appreciate what I mean.