Unfairly dismissed on its original release, this really deserves to be better known: the ultimate example of bad-trip mainstream cinema.
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:46
Fresh:33
Rotten:13
Average Rating:6.7/10
Runtime: 1 hr 56 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Adrian Lyne's JACOB'S LADDER moves in time and space between Vietnam and New York with hallucinatory force. Something bad happened on the Mekong Delta, on October 6, 1971, and it is still affecting... Adrian Lyne's JACOB'S LADDER moves in time and space between Vietnam and New York with hallucinatory force. Something bad happened on the Mekong Delta, on October 6, 1971, and it is still affecting war veteran Jacob (Tim Robbins) in Brooklyn as he attempts to live a normal life with coworker and girlfriend Jezzie (Elizabeth Peņa). Louis (Danny Aiello), an understanding chiropractor, tries to help him cope with his nightmarish visions--some of which occur at night, while others intrude into his daily life. When Jacob gets a call from Paul (Pruitt Taylor Vince), who was with him in Vietnam, it seems that Jacob is not alone in his visions. The film offers impressive and compelling performances by Peņa, Aiello (no ordinary chiropractor), and Ving Rhames and Eriq La Salle (the latter of ER) as Jacob's comrades from Vietnam. Macaulay Culkin appears uncredited as Jacob's young son, Gabe. Director Lyne also guides an unerring interpretation of Bruce Joel Rubin's screenplay in Robbins's powerfully restless, searingly searching performance as Jacob; brilliant editing additionally rounds out this engrossing, disturbing film. JACOB'S LADDER is a jolting experience that is not easily forgotten. [More]
Starring: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peņa, Danny Aiello, Bryan Larkin
Starring: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peņa, Danny Aiello, Bryan Larkin, Matt Craven, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Jason Alexander, Patricia Kalember, Eriq La Salle, Ving Rhames, Brian Tarantina
Director: Adrian Lyne
Director: Adrian Lyne
Composer: Maurice Jarre
Screenwriter: Bruce Joel Rubin
Producer: Alan Marshall
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Reviews for Jacob's Ladder
Despite all the confusion, it's a simple case of the script being too ambitious. It may emulate a man experiencing flashbacks, but it doesn't help the audience.
Truly frightening and visually unique, this messy, challenging film is anchored by Tim Robbins' remarkable performance.
Lyne's giddying, unsettling direction conjures up moments of horrifying hallucinogenic power from the bad-trip hell of his protagonist.
Although slightly convoluted and disjointed, Jacob's Ladder is a hypnotic psychological thriller that makes use of its fuzzy orientation. An exceptionally odd and captivating drama that will leave one scratching their head
Latest News for Jacob's Ladder
August 25, 2005:
Keanu & Zeta to Head Lyne's Lana Turner Tale
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Keanu Reeves are in talks to star in Adrian Lyne's as-yet-untitled biopic about the love affair between movie star Lana Turner and mob affiliate Johnny... More...
June 02, 2005:
Winkler & Rubin Want to Deliver "A Perfect Divorce"
More...
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