Jacknife
Encyclopedia
Jacknife is a 1989 American film directed by David Jones
David Jones (director)
David Hugh Jones was a British stage, television, and film director.-Personal history:Jones was born in Poole, Dorset, the son of John David Jones and his wife Gwendolen Agnes Langworthy...

 and starring Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...

 and Ed Harris
Ed Harris
Edward Allen "Ed" Harris is an American actor, writer, and director, known for his performances in Appaloosa, Radio, The Rock, The Abyss, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, A History of Violence, and The Truman Show. Harris has also narrated commercials for The Home Depot and other companies...

. The film focuses on a small, serious story, with emphasis on characterization and the complex tension between people in a close relationship. Stephen Metcalfe
Stephen Metcalfe
Stephen Metcalfe is an American film director and screenwriter. Metcalfe's career has touched on all forms of dramatic writing; screen, television and stage....

, upon whose play, Strange Snow (1982), the film was based, wrote the screenplay.

Plot

Joseph Megessey (known to most as Megs) is a Vietnam war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...

 veteran suffering post-Vietnam stress syndrome who is having trouble fitting in with society. He takes on the responsibility of drawing Dave, a fellow veteran now an alcoholic, out of his shell by coaxing him to enjoy life again, as well as urging him to face up to some of his darker memories.

Megs finds himself attracted to Dave's meek sister Martha, who lives with Dave and takes care of him. This attraction leads to a love affair, much to Dave's disapproval. Dave eventually vents his anger and frustration at a high school prom where Martha is a chaperone being accompanied by Megs. This leads to Dave finally facing his demons and acknowledging Megs and Martha for being there for him. Afterward, despite initially ending what was a promising romance, Megs returns to Martha.

The movie was filmed in Montreal, Canada and Meriden, CT.

Cast

  • Robert DeNiro as Megs, Joseph Megessey
  • Ed Harris
    Ed Harris
    Edward Allen "Ed" Harris is an American actor, writer, and director, known for his performances in Appaloosa, Radio, The Rock, The Abyss, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, A History of Violence, and The Truman Show. Harris has also narrated commercials for The Home Depot and other companies...

     as Dave
  • Kathy Baker
    Kathy Baker
    Katherine Whitton "Kathy" Baker is an American stage, film and television actress.-Career:Baker began her career at San Francisco's Magic Theatre, performing in several of Sam Shepard's plays before getting her break in an off-Broadway production of Fool for Love opposite Ed Harris...

     as Martha
  • Sloane Shelton as Shirley
  • Ivar Brogger
    Ivar Brogger
    Ivar Brogger is an American actor of stage, motion pictures and television. He is known for his appearances in several TV shows like 24, NCIS, Star Trek: Voyager, Private Practice and a recurring role in Invasion. He had small roles in motion pictures like Dreamgirls, Ocean's Thirteen and Little...

     as Depot Mechanic
  • Michael Arkin as Dispatcher
  • Tom Isbell as Bobby 'Red Sox' Buckman
  • Kirk Taylor as Helicopter Gunner
  • Jordan Lund
    Jordan Lund
    Jordan Lund is an American stage, film and television character actor. He played the tyrant prison guard Manly in Lock Up.Lund was born in Long Island, New York, the son of Miriam and Marvin Lund.-External links:...

     as Tiny
  • Charles S. Dutton
    Charles S. Dutton
    Charles Stanley Dutton is an American stage, film, and television actor and director. He is perhaps best known for his roles as "Fortune" in the film Rudy and "Dillon" in Alien 3...

     as Jake, Veteran Encounter Group Leader (as Charles Dutton)
  • Bruce Ramsay
    Bruce Ramsay
    Bruce Ramsay is a Canadian film, television and stage actor.-Early life:Ramsay was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada...

     as Corridor Student
  • Jessalyn Gilsig
    Jessalyn Gilsig
    Jessalyn Gilsig is a Canadian actress known for her roles in the television series Boston Public, Nip/Tuck and as Will Schuester's ex-wife Terri Schuester in Glee...

     as His Girlfriend
  • George Gerdes as Tony
  • Josh Pais
    Josh Pais
    Josh Pais is an American actor of film and television.He has appeared in many Hollywood films, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as Raphael, Music of the Heart, Scream 3, It Runs in the Family, Little Manhattan and Find Me Guilty. He played Assistant M.E...

    as Rick
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