Jacob’s Ladder (1990) – A nightmarish final struggle:

Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

A nightmarish final struggle

 

Jacob’s Ladder (1990), directed by Adrian Lyne, released in the United States on November 2, 1990, and based on the screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, is a rarity of the genre: an intelligent horror story.

Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is a traumatized Vietnam veteran.

He works for the Post Office, and shares a cramped apartment with his girlfriend and co-worker, Jezebel (Elizabeth Peña), in a dilapidated block in Brooklyn, New York, during the 1970s.

Suffering from PTSD, Jacob is haunted by flashbacks from his time in the war, his pain compounded by the grief of losing his son in an accident.

His waking hours are invaded by bizarre and terrifying hallucinations of a locked underground subway station, and demons that stalk him wherever he goes.

He has disorientating periods when he awakes to find himself in an alternate reality where he is still married to his wife, Sarah (Patricia Kalember).

In these sections, his son Gabe (Macaulay Culkin) is still alive.

Jacob attempts to discover the truth about his condition and uncovers a conspiracy involving a failed drug experiment.

The title: Jacob’s Ladder, is a Biblical reference, from Genesis 28:10-21, in which a spiritual staircase, flanked by angels, provides a bridge between Heaven and Earth.

In the latter part of the movie, the chemist, Michael Newman (Matt Craven), describes the enhanced drug as: The Ladder.

Afflicted with back pain, Jacob visits his Chiropractor, Louis (Danny Aiello).

Louis is also his friend and confidante.

When Jacob confides his hallucinations, Louis offers solace and reassurance by quoting the 14th-century German theologian and philosopher, Meister Eckhart:

LOUIS:

Eckhart saw Hell, too. You know what he said? He said: ‘The only thing that burns in Hell, is the part of you that won't let go of your life, your memories, your attachments. They burn them all away. But they're not punishing you,’ he said. ‘They're freeing your soul’ … So, the way he sees it: ‘if you're frightened of dying and – and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away. But, if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the earth.’ It’s just a matter of how you look at it, that’s all.

Bruce Joel Rubin’s screenplay, available in paperback, is an essential read for anyone who appreciates the movie.

It provides a wealth of insight and background information on the development of the story, including the inspiration and meaning behind some of the movie’s most stunning and disturbing images, particularly the visions of the “vibrating” men Jacob glimpses.

The book includes deleted scenes, with reasons why they didn’t make the final cut of the movie.

The acting is understated and flawless.

The strong supporting cast includes excellent character actors: Jason Alexander, John Capodice, Matt Craven, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Eriq La Salle, Ving Rhames, Brian Tarantina, Anthony Alessandro, Brent Hinkley, S. Epatha Merkerson, and John Patrick McLaughlin.

Adrian Lyne, like Ridley Scott, knows how to use light to powerful and atmospheric effect.

Maurice Jarre’s soundtrack sets a melancholic and haunting tone.

So many movies rely too heavily on the jump-shock moment to compensate for lack of plot, or character development.

Jacob’s Ladder doesn’t make that mistake.

The script and plot structure have been carefully thought out.

Jacob Singer is the main character, but in no way heroic.

We feel Jacob’s pain, bewilderment, and terror.

He fights when he has to, particularly in the scene where he is abducted from the street and forcibly strong-armed into the back of a car.

Jacob’s demeanor is, for the most part, quiet, friendly and affable, making his mounting fear and vulnerability more believable.

The quieter sections of the story are emotionally involving enough to make the moments of jarring horror nightmarish and chilling, with a final reveal that is both subtle and moving.

Jacob’s Ladder succeeds on many levels: as part war story, tragedy, drama, horror, mystery, hallucinatory nightmare, and theological thriller, giving the viewer much to think about and discuss.

It’s a disquieting and unforgettable experience that improves with repeat viewings, compelling the viewer to examine reality, existence, and the question of what comes after.

Life is fleeting.

Death is a certainty.

One day, we all have to climb that spiritual ladder.

Ascend … or descend?

Heaven … or Hell?

Which direction and destination will be yours?

On this day in television history - Murphy’s Law (1988 - 1989):

Murphy’s Law

created by Lee David Zlotoff,

based on the Trace and Digger series of novels by Warren Murphy,

was released in the United States on November 2, 1988 and ran for one season until March 18, 1989.
Theme music by Steve Kipner.

Cast:

George Segal, Maggie Han, Josh Mostel, Sarah Sawatsky, Charles Rocket, Kim Lankford, Walter Marsh, Lynne Randall, Julia Sweeney, Elizabeth Savage, Robert Thurston, Valerie Mahaffey, Christine Belford, Carolyn Seymour, Patrick Macnee, Clyde Kusatsu, David Spielberg, Linda Darlow, Leslie Carlson, Gerard Christopher, Andi Matheny, Bill Morey, Robert Thurston, Alan Robertson, Steve Peterson, Joan Severance, Will Estes, Reni Santoni, Judy Landers, Jennifer Hetrick, Norman Fell, Garwin Sanford, John Standing, Jack Bannon, Bruce Gray, Richard Foronjy, Ronnie Claire Edwards, Jeffrey Byron, Ken Swofford, Joseph Cali, David Byrd, Marvin Kaplan, Tom O'Rourke, Diana Bellamy, Robin Mossley, Richard Roat, Jerry Potter, Sheelah Megill, Jano Frandsen, Nancy Isaak, Brian Knox McGugan, A.J. Freeman, Serge Houde, Frank Slaten.

On this day in movie history - Paris, Texas (1984):

Paris, Texas

directed by Wim Wenders,

written by L. M. Kit Carson and Sam Shepard,

was released in the United States on November 2, 1984.
Music by Ry Cooder.

Cast:

Harry Dean Stanton, Sam Berry, Bernhard Wicki, Dean Stockwell, Aurore Clément, Claresie Mobley, Hunter Carson, Viva Auder, Socorro Valdez, Edward Fayton, Justin Hogg, Nastassja Kinski, Tom Farrell, John Lurie, Jeni Vici, Sally Norvell, Sharon Menzel, The Mydolls, Brandy Tipton.

On this day in music history - Bad Attitude, by Meat Loaf (1984):

Bad Attitude,

by Meat Loaf,

was released on November 2, 1984.

On this day in movie history - The Ocean Waif (1916):

The Ocean Waif

directed by Alice Guy,

written by Frederick Chapin,

was released in the United States on November 2, 1916.

Cast:

Carlyle Blackwell, Doris Kenyon, Edgar Norton, Fraunie Fraunholz, William Morris, Augusta Burmeister, Lyn Donelson.

Born on this day – Jack Starrett:

Jack Starrett

Actor

Director

November 2, 1936 – March 27, 1989

Born on this day – Lyn Thomas:

Lyn Thomas

Actress

November 2, 1929 – August 26, 2004

Born on this day – Burt Lancaster:

Burt Lancaster

Actor

Producer

November 2, 1913 – October 20, 1994

Born on this day – Alice Brady:

Alice Brady

Actress

November 2, 1892 – October 28, 1939

Credits:

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939); Zenobia (1939); Joy of Living (1938); Goodbye Broadway (1938); In Old Chicago (1938); Merry-Go-Round of 1938 (1937); One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937); Mr. Dodd Takes the Air (1937); Call It a Day (1937); Mama Steps Out (1937); Three Smart Girls (1936); Mind Your Own Business (1936); Go West Young Man (1936); My Man Godfrey (1936); The Harvester (1936); Metropolitan (1935); Lady Tubbs (1935); Let 'em Have It (1935); Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935); The Gay Divorcee (1934); Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen (1934); Should Ladies Behave (1933); Stage Mother (1933); Broadway to Hollywood (1933); Beauty for Sale (1933); When Ladies Meet (1933); The Snow Bride (1923); The Leopardess (1923); Anna Ascends (1922); Missing Millions (1922); Hush Money (1921); Dawn of the East (1921); Little Italy (1921); The Land of Hope (1921); Out of the Chorus (1921); The New York Idea (1920); A Dark Lantern (1920); Sinners (1920); The Fear Market (1920); His Bridal Night (1919); The Redhead (1919); Marie, Ltd. (1919); The World to Live In (1919); The End of the Road (1919); The Indestructible Wife (1919); In the Hollow of Her Hand (1918); Her Great Chance (1918); The Better Half (1918); The Death Dance (1918); The Whirlpool (1918); The Ordeal of Rosetta (1918); At the Mercy of Men (1918); The Trap (1918); The Spurs of Sybil (1918); The Knife (1918); Woman and Wife (1918); Her Silent Sacrifice (1917); A Maid of Belgium (1917); Betsy Ross (1917); A Self-Made Widow (1917); The Divorce Game (1917); Maternity (1917); The Dancer's Peril (1917); A Hungry Heart (1917); A Woman Alone (1917); The Rack (1916); Bought and Paid For (1916); The Gilded Cage (1916); The Gilded Cage (1916); Miss Petticoats (1916); La vie de Bohème (1916); Tangled Fates (1916); Then I'll Come Back to You (1916); The Woman in 47 (1916); The Ballet Girl (1916); The Lure of Woman (1915); The Cup of Chance (1915); The Boss (1915); As Ye Sow (1914).

Author humor:

Stephen King, on writing:

A little talent is a good thing to have if you want to be a writer.

But the only real requirement is the ability to remember every scar.

- Stephen King.