JACOB’S LADDER
US, 1990, 113 minutes, Colour.
Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Matt Craven, Erik La Salle, Ving Rhames.
Directed by Adrian Lyne.
It is a mark of advertising to promote by association. For instance, Jacob’s Ladder is spoken of as “from the director of Fatal Attraction (Adrian Lyne) and “from the writer of Ghost (Bruce Joel Rubin)”.
This may mean, of course, that Jacob’s Ladder is nothing at all like the other films and that it is all an advertising gimmick and we need to beware.
Jacob’s Ladder is a psychological thriller about madness and obsession; but it is the hero who suffers the madness. He is Vietnam veteran who, years later, is still tormented by the memories of combat and being wounded. They seem like dreams, nightmares. And when he wakes, he still seems to be in another dream. Where can he turn?
Any further comment on the plot would spoil the effect of the drama which relies on flashy techniques, editing styles and moody atmospheres for its effect.
But the writer of Ghost is still interested in exploring death, atonement and reconciliation. So we have a potent mixture of a nightmare thriller with supernatural overtones that really doesn’t reveal its full meaning until the final moment.
If this arouses interest audiences will be both alarmed and fascinated by Jacob’s Ladder .It will make audiences think about serious issues of war, chemical experiments and tormented lives. Audiences who saw and liked Flatliners and its wondering about the experience of death, might like to try this one.
If it does not interest an audience, then it might seem just a violent and unpredictable film that is better left alone. It is a questioning movie that goes beyond the ordinary.
1. The issues of 1990? The aftermath of the Vietnam War? Chemical experiments? With American soldiers? Consequences? Cover-up?
2. The religious dimensions of life and death, purgatory, the tone of the title, mind-altering and death experience?
3. The director, his work, erotic films, this film as different? the writer, Bruce Joel Rubin, his films and preoccupation with death?
4. The Vietnam sequences, battle in the jungle, the effects and explosions? The contrast with American cities, apartments, the streets, postal work, the chiropractic room, hospitals, medical institutions, legal firms, funerals…? surreal?
5. The group, in Vietnam, talking together, the lookout, the characters amongst themselves, the attack, the repetition of the scenes at the end: the fact that there were no records, that the men had been only in Thailand, Jacob’s document of his discharge?
6. Jacob, his character, the sense of being followed, his being taken in the car by the government officials, his fightback? The discussions with the lawyer, persuading him to take the case, the group with him, the phone call and his friend saying they were backing down, the lawyer and his not wanting to take the case?
7. The pharmacist, his story, pursuing Jacob, finding him, the explanation of his life, imprisonment, the conditions for release, his working on the experimentation? His feelings of guilt?
8. Jacob and his marriage, his children, Gabriel, his love him, the scenes with him, the bicycle the visits to the hospital from his wife, from the other kids, their misbehaving?
9. Jezebel, her name, working at the post office, their being together, their domestic life in its detail, her being patient, her concern, the erotic sequences? His going to work? The detail of life, the shower, shaving? An ordinary life?
10. Jacob, his meeting Paul, the discussions, sharing, Paul and his apprehensions, being followed, something demonic? His car exploding? Jacob and his going to the hospital, demanding to see Doctor Carlson, the information that he was not there, finding the young doctor, the news of Doctor Carlson’s death?
11. Jacob, the demonic, his being pursued, the tax, Jezebel?
12. His dreams, his illusions, voices, appearance and reality? Characters appearing and disappearing? The editing and disillusionment?
13. Louis, the chiropractor, the scene repeated, friendliness, fixing Jacob’s back? The discussion about angels and Demons and leading to heaven or hell, recognise them? His quotations from Meister Eckhart to be free?
14. The government, the cover-ups, in the car, Jacob out of the car, the Santa Claus stealing his wallet?
15. Hospital, his treatment, on the guerney, the long trek through the hospital basement, to the mental institution, Jezebel as one of the nurses? Louis and his intervention and taking Jacob away? Jacob children and their visit?
16. The experiences, in the mind, in reality?
17. At the end, Jacob dead in Vietnam, purgatory or a purgatorial process in his death, memories of the past, blending with anticipation of future, fears, fantasies?
18. The effect of sharing this kind of experience with Jacob?
