Jacknife

4/19/2014

Dave, Megs and Martha. Jacknife is directed by David Jones and adapted to screenplay by Stephen Metcalfe from his own play Strange Snow. It stars Robert De Niro, Ed Harris and Kathy Baker. Music is by Bruce Broughton and cinematography by Brian West. De Niro and Harris play two Vietnam War veterans trying to come to terms with their lives post the war. Things are further complicated when De Niro gets romantically involved with Harris sister played by Baker. Wonderfully sedate and intimate, Jacknife, whilst not creating anything new in the “coming home from Nam” genre of film, is somewhat refreshing in how it relies on dialogue and believable character interactions. Some cliches do find their way into the play later in the day as Harris’ character starts to come out of is troubled

6/6/2025

"Jacknife" is based upon the stage play "Strange Snow" by Stephen Metcalfe and yet it has been very skilfully adapted into a screenplay which allows the many meaningful character moments to be subtly played out. Its depiction of the veterans who fought in Vietnam paints a portrait of damaged men now struggling to maintain at least a semblance of the normality they once took for granted in a world which once enthusiastically jeered and spat upon them. The legacy of that deeply contentious war is soul destroying where every day must seem to be trying to find a reason to go on living such a haunted life. This is certainly an extremely thought provoking and emotional film which attempts to give some meaning and understanding to the people coming to terms with the after effects of war.