Jacknife (1989)

64% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(1,900 ratings)

This little-known Robert DeNiro film is set several years after the war in Vietnam. DeNiro plays an unpredictably explosive war veteran, while Ed Harris co-stars as his army buddy, who's trying his best to forget his Vietnamese experiences by crawling into a bottle. While visiting Harris and Harris'… More This little-known Robert DeNiro film is set several years after the war in Vietnam. DeNiro plays an unpredictably explosive war veteran, while Ed Harris co-stars as his army buddy, who's trying his best to forget his Vietnamese experiences by crawling into a bottle. While visiting Harris and Harris' sister Kathy Baker, DeNiro frightens both with his neurotic ramblings. Still, Baker is grateful that DeNiro's presence seems to be lifting Harris out of his deep funk. She encourages DeNiro to stay on for a while, thereby setting the stage for a blossoming romance. Baker has no way of knowing that Harris' depression has been brought about by the death of a wartime pal--a death he blames on DeNiro. Violence threatens to erupt at every turn in Jacknife, but the film refuses to play down to its audience by wallowing in the obvious. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Charles Dutton, Charles S. Dutton
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 10, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Jan 23, 2007
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
Jacknife works best when illustrating a quiet grace.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This Vietnam vet melodrama is extremely well acted by De Niro, Ed Harris, and Kathy Baker.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Gritty De Niro in hard core yarn
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Reveals the difficulties many Vietnam veterans have in readjusting to life at home.
David Poland, Hot Button
Great actors... dissapointing movie