Jacknife
Jacknife

Jacknife

1989Movie102 minEnglish

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.

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Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes54%
Google Users60%
Director: David JonesGenres: Drama, War

Plot Summary

Set in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, Jacknife follows Frank "Jacknife" Richardson, a former Marine helicopter pilot struggling with his return to civilian life and the lingering trauma of war. He reconnects with his old Marine buddy, Dave McClellan, and Dave's wife, Martha, whom Jacknife had a past relationship with. Their reunion becomes complicated as they navigate their unresolved feelings and the psychological scars left by their wartime experiences.

Critical Reception

Jacknife received a mixed to positive reception from critics. While some praised the performances, particularly those of Robert De Niro and Ed Harris, and the film's attempt to delve into the psychological effects of war, others found the pacing slow and the narrative somewhat predictable. The film did not achieve significant commercial success.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for strong acting performances, especially from its lead actors.
  • Critiqued for its slow pacing and conventional storytelling.
  • Acknowledged for its somber exploration of post-war trauma.

Google audience: Audience reviews suggest a divided opinion, with many appreciating the dramatic performances and the serious themes of dealing with war's aftermath. However, a significant portion of viewers found the film to be too slow-moving and lacking in compelling plot development.

Fun Fact

The film was based on the novel "Jacknife" by Stephen Hunter, who also wrote the novel "Point of Impact," which was adapted into the television series "Shooter."

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
kevin2019

kevin2019

"Jacknife" is based upon the stage play "Strange Snow" by Stephen Metcalfe and yet it has been very skilfully adapted into a screenplay which allows the many meaningful character moments to be subtly played out. Its depiction of the veteran...
John Chard

John Chard

Dave, Megs and Martha. Jacknife is directed by David Jones and adapted to screenplay by Stephen Metcalfe from his own play Strange Snow. It stars Robert De Niro, Ed Harris and Kathy Baker. Music is by Bruce Broughton and cinematography b...