''Jacknife'' is a 1989 American film directed by David Jones and starring

Robert De Niro Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. ( , ; born August 17, 1943) is an American actor. Known for his collaborations with Martin Scorsese, he is considered to be one of the best actors of his generation. De Niro is the recipient of various accolades ...

Ed Harris Edward Allen Harris (born November 28, 1950) is an American actor and filmmaker. His performances in ''Apollo 13'' (1995), '' The Truman Show'' (1998), '' Pollock'' (2000), and '' The Hours'' (2002) earned him critical acclaim and Academy Award ...

and Kathy Baker. The film focuses on a small, serious story, with emphasis on characterization and the complex tension between people in a close relationship. Stephen Metcalfe, upon whose play ''Strange Snow'' (1982) the film was based, wrote the screenplay. Harris was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance.

Plot

Joseph Megessey (known to most as Megs) is a

Vietnam war The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...

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 who has become an

alcoholic Alcoholism is, broadly, any drinking of alcohol that results in significant mental or physical health problems. Because there is disagreement on the definition of the word ''alcoholism'', it is not a recognized diagnostic entity. Predomina ...

, 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 looks after 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. Afterwards, despite initially ending what was a promising romance, Megs returns to Martha.

Cast

as Joseph "Megs" Megessey *

as Dave * Kathy Baker as Martha * Sloane Shelton as Shirley * Ivar Brogger as Depot Mechanic * Michael Arkin as Dispatcher * Tom Isbell as Bobby 'Red Sox' Buckman * Kirk Taylor as Helicopter Gunner * Jordan Lund as Tiny *

Tom Rack Tom Rack is a Canadian actor and writer best known for his portrayal of henchman Zigesfeld in the 1991 film '' If Looks Could Kill'', and for twice portraying physicist Dr.Robert Oppenheimer. Career A character actor with an impactful presence, ...

as William Green * Charles S. Dutton as Jake, Veteran Encounter Group Leader (as Charles Dutton) *

Bruce Ramsay Bruce Ramsay (born December 31, 1966) is a Canadian film, television and stage actor. Career Ramsay's screen debut was opposite fellow Montrealer Elias Koteas in the film '' Malarek'' (1988). Ramsay and Koteas went on to appear in two other fi ...

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 Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple-pe ...

, Canada,

Meriden, Connecticut Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located halfway between the regional cities of New Haven and Hartford. In 2020, the population of the city was 60,850.

Wallingford, Connecticut Wallingford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, centrally located between New Haven and Hartford, and Boston and New York City. The population was 44,396 at the 2020 census. The community was named after Wallingford, in En ...

Newington, Connecticut Newington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. Located south of downtown Hartford, Newington is an older, mainly residential suburb located in Greater Hartford. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,536. The Connectic ...

, and

New Britain, Connecticut New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately southwest of Hartford. According to 2020 Census, the population of the city is 74,135. Among the southernmost of the communities encompassed wi ...

and Newtown, CT.

References

External links

* * * * 1989 films 1989 romantic drama films Films directed by David Jones Films set in Connecticut Vietnam War films American romantic drama films Films shot in Connecticut Films scored by Bruce Broughton Alliance Atlantis films 1980s English-language films 1980s American films {{romantic-drama-film-stub