Jacknife (1989)
Jacknife (1989), directed by David Hugh Jones, starring Robert De Niro and Kathy Baker.
score
Three buddies in Vietnam. Two survived. Only one is really alive.
Synopsis
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.
- Brian WestCinematography
- David Hugh JonesDirector
- John BloomEditing
- Carol BaumProducer
About the film
Jacknife is a 1989 American film directed by David Jones and starring Robert De Niro, Ed Harris and Kathy Baker. The film focuses on a complex tension between people in a close family relationship. Stephen Metcalfe, on whose play Strange Snow (1982) the film is based, wrote the screenplay. Harris was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance.
Read the full article (2k characters)
Jacknife is a 1989 American film directed by David Jones and starring Robert De Niro, Ed Harris and Kathy Baker. The film focuses on a complex tension between people in a close family relationship. Stephen Metcalfe, on whose play Strange Snow (1982) the film is based, wrote the screenplay. Harris was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance.
Plot
Joseph Megessey (known to most as "Megs") is a Vietnam War veteran who has post-traumatic stress syndrome, and who is having trouble integrating with society. He finds Dave, a fellow veteran who has become an alcoholic, and attempts to bring him out of his depression by encouraging him to enjoy life again, as well as urging him to face some of his darker memories.
Megs is attracted to Dave's sister Martha, who lives with Dave and looks after him. Megs and Martha fall in love, much to Dave's disapproval. Dave eventually vents his anger and frustration at a high-school prom at which Martha is a chaperone who is accompanied by Megs. This leads Dave to finally face his demons and acknowledge Megs and Martha for being there for him. Afterward, despite initially ending what was a promising romance, Megs returns to Martha.
Cast
Robert De Niro as Joseph "Megs" Megessey
Ed Harris as Dave
Kathy Baker as Martha
Sloane Shelton as Shirley
Ivar Brogger as Depot Mechanic
Michael Arkin as Dispatcher
Tom Isbell as Bobby Buckman
Kirk Taylor as Helicopter Gunner
Jordan Lund as Tiny
Tom Rack as William Green
Charles S. Dutton as Jake, Veteran Encounter Group Leader (as Charles Dutton)
Bruce Ramsay as Corridor Student
Jessalyn Gilsig as His Girlfriend
George Gerdes as Tony
Josh Pais as Rick
Loudon Wainwright III as Ferretti
Walter Massey as Ed Buckman
Elizabeth Franz as Pru Buckman
Production
The movie was filmed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as well as several Connecticut locations, including Meriden, Wallingford, Newington, New Britain and Newtown.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 64% of 14 critics' reviews are positive.
References
External links
Jacknife at IMDb
Jacknife at Rotten Tomatoes
Jacknife at Box Office Mojo
Text from Jacknife on Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacknife
Trivia
- It premiered on October 5, 1989, a Thursday.
- It runs 1h42 — a typical feature length.
- This film's quiz has 12 questions — enough to play more than once without repeats.
Production
- StudiosCineplex-Odeon Films, Kings Road Entertainment, Sandollar-Schaffel Productions
- CountriesUnited States
- LanguagesEnglish
- StatusReleased
More about this film
Set in
- Connecticut
Videos
Photos
Cast
-
Robert De Niro
Joseph 'Jacknife' Megessey -
Kathy Baker
Martha Flannigan -
Ed Harris
David 'High School' Flannigan -
Ivar Brogger
Depot Mechanic -
Jordan Lund
Tiny -
Charles S. Dutton
Jake, Veteran Encounter Group Leader -
Bruce Ramsay
Corridor Student -
Jessalyn Gilsig
His Girlfriend -
Josh Pais
Rick -
Gabrielle Carteris
College Girl in Bar -
Kirk Taylor
Helicopter Gunner -
George Gerdes
Tony -
Lois Dellar
Cocktail Waitress -
Loudon Wainwright III
Ferretti - Tom Isbell Bobby Buckman
-
Sloane Shelton
Shirley -
Walter Massey
Ed Buckman -
Elizabeth Franz
Pru Buckman -
Madison Arnold
Sam, Bartender -
Tom Rack
William Green
Quiz about this movie
Questions from the whole catalogue.
Play nowIf you liked this one
-
Perigo Iminente
6.8
-
Asas da Liberdade Drama from the 1980s
7.1
-
A Voz do Sangue
6.0
-
Bat 21: Missão no Inferno Drama from the 1980s
6.3
-
King Rat
7.2
-
Pecados de Guerra Drama from the 1980s
7.2
-
Verdade e Honra
7.3
-
Entre o Céu e a Terra
6.6
-
O Franco Atirador
8.0
-
The Kill Team - Dilemas da Guerra
6.5
-
Pássaros Amarelos
6.0
-
Os Que Sabem Morrer
6.6
Tags
Crew
- Brian West Cinematography
- David Hugh Jones Director
- John Bloom Editing
- Carol Baum Producer
- Robert Schaffel Producer
- Bruce Broughton Original music
- Stephen Metcalfe Screenplay
Questions about this film
What is Jacknife about?
Jacknife: 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.
Who directed Jacknife?
Jacknife was directed by David Hugh Jones in 1989.
Who stars in Jacknife?
The cast of Jacknife includes Robert De Niro, Kathy Baker, Ed Harris, Ivar Brogger and Jordan Lund.
How long is Jacknife?
Jacknife runs for 102 minutes, or 1h42.
Similar films
8.2
8.0
8.6
8.2
7.5
8.2
7.5
8.0
8.4
7.8
7.9
8.1
Page updated on 09/12/2026.
Back to the catalogue
