Jacob’s Ladder
What to make of “Jacob’s Ladder?” It’s the kind of movie that keeps playing tricks on you; visually and plot wise, and that keeps ratcheting things up until, well, the last frame. And that’s a good thing I suppose. And it was effective. The film had me on the edge of my seat, often a little terrified, and not knowing what to expect. And unable to pin it to a genre. All of these things are rather successful. The script is quite good. The characters are believable and worthy of my time-I wanted to know what was wrong with Jacob Singer, our tortured Vietnam Vet, who is having little flashes and incidents of mounting intensity.
Jacob Singer certainly has a lot to be haunted by. Not only Vietnam and a fateful day that left him injured and his platoon mostly dead, but the loss of a son and, subsequently a family. Now he works for the post office even though he has a PHD-“Didn’t want to think much after ‘nam” He says. He’s shacked up with a loving co-worker (Elizabeth Pena) and he receives physical and emotional advice from his Angelic Chiropractor (Danny Aiello). But spooky things keep happening. And that’s when we begin to question what is real and what ain’t. Jacob isn’t quick to connect his little visions and episodes to Vietnam, but its inevitable. But things are just getting worse, even when he’s thinking he’s getting answers. People, or things, seem to be following him. He goes to his VA doctor for help-he’s not there. Neither are his records. What’s happening to Jacob Singer?
It’s all done rather chillingly. I am not a fan of horror films. I don’t have anything against them, I just find that they all seem to fail. I don’t know if “Jacob’s Ladder” is a horror film, but its elements of terror are played to a T. The dark alley, ominous music, stranger on a subway are all orchestrated to perfection by director Adrian Lynne. The film’s narrative is a series of flashbacks and dreams until we cannot discern what we once thought to be reality. Something is wrong with Jacob Singer. I’ve seen the film and I still don’t know what it is.
Story: A Jacob Singer is a Vietnam Vet living in an increasingly haunted reality. Twists abound.
Acting: B Early Tim Robbins. Good Danny Aiello and decent Elizabeth Pena.
Visuals: B Nice enough.
Originality/Innovation: A Yes, and I’ll say no more.
Enjoyability Grade: A The movie will frighten you and make you think.
Overall Grade: B + A fine little film.
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