Jacob's Ladder

Vietnam veteran Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) thinks he is going insane. Or worse. When his nightmares begin spilling into his waking hours, Jacob believes he is experiencing the aftereffects of a powerful drug tested on him during Vietnam. Or perhaps his posttraumatic stress disorder is worse than most. Whatever is happening to him, it is not good. Director Adrian Lyne sparks our interest and maintains high production values, but this confusing film chokes on its "surprise" ending. It owes much to Ambrose Bierce's haunting and more straightforward story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek." Written by Bruce Joel Rubin, who also explored the "other side" in Ghost and My Life, it ultimately feels like an exercise in self-indulgence. A spirited performance by Elizabeth Peña outshines Robbins, who is surprisingly lethargic. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery

Stars: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello, Matt Craven

Production: Tri Star

3 wins.


IMDB:: 7.5
Metacritic:: 62
Rotten Tomatoes:: 69%

Jacob's Ladder Screenplay »

Edit Buy

: R
Year:: 1990
: 113
: 5,753 Views

Louis:
Eckhart saw Hell too. He said: The only thing that burns in Hell is the part of you that won't let go of life, your memories, your attachments. They burn them all away. But they're not punishing you, he said. They're freeing your soul. So, 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.

Jezebel:
Well, personally, I never went for church names.

Jezebel:
What?

Jacob Singer:
Where do you think Jezebel came from?

Jezebel:
No one calls me that.

Jacob Singer:
You're such a heathen, Jezzie. How'd I ever get involved with such a f***in' ninny?

Jezebel:
You sold your soul, remember? That's what you told me.

Jacob Singer:
Yeah? For what?

Jezebel:
A good lay.

Jacob Singer:
Look what I got.

Jezebel:

Jacob's Doctor:
You're a lucky guy, Jake. You must have friends in high places.

Jacob Singer:
Jezzie? Get me out of here.

Evil Doctor:
Where do you want to go?

Jacob Singer:
Home.

Evil Doctor:
Home? This is your home. You're dead.

Jacob Singer:
Dead? No. I just hurt my back, I'm not dead.

Evil Doctor:
What are you, then?

Jacob Singer:
I'm alive.

Evil Doctor:
Then what are you doing here?

Jacob Singer:
I don't know.

Jacob Singer:
Something's happening.

Evil Doctor:
What IS happening?

Jacob Singer:
Get me out of here.

Evil Doctor:
There is no out of here. You've been killed, don't you remember?

Louis:
Well, you've done it to yourself this time, haven't you?

Jacob Singer:
Am I dying, Louie?

Louis:
From a slipped disk? That'll be a first.

Michael:
I'd only been in jail 13 hours, I thought 'Nam couldn't be any worse.

Jacob Singer:
Shows how little you knew.

Michael:
Yeah, really.

Jacob:
You know you look like an angel, Louie? Like an overgrown cherub. Anyone ever tell you that?

Louis:
[smiling] Yeah, you. Every time you see me.

Jacob:
You're a lifesaver, Louie.

Louis:
[smiling] Yeah, I know.

Army Officer:
Mr. Singer. What an appropriate name for a man who can't shut up.

Elsa:
[reading Jacob's palm] See. According to this, you're already dead. [laughs]

Share your thoughts on Jacob's Ladder's quotes with the community:

1 Comment

Notify me of new comments via email.

Alvex
Doctor: You've got identification?

Jake (on hospital gerny): No, my wallet was stolen

Doctor: By who?

Jake: Santa Clau

(Doctors look at each other) more »
LikeReply3 years ago