Jacob's Ladder (1990)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

A gritty telling of PTSD and the role that it plays, not only in the lives of the victim, but those around them, Jacob’s Ladder follows Jacob (Tim Robbins) as he relives the horrific memories of his time during the Vietnam War and contemplates the meaning behind the death of his young son. An emotional rollercoaster is Jacob’s Ladder, and it provides an opportunity to peer, viscerally, into the life of Jacob. 

Jacob’s Ladder hopes to be something of a fever dream, hoping to blend the styles of films such as Eraserhead, Apocalypse Now, and Angel Heart. Director Adrian Lyne attempted to take the best elements of each of the aforementioned films and wrap it into one rollercoaster ride of a film--but the film falls short. Don’t misunderstand my meaning; as I found Jacob’s Ladder entertaining, but it certainly misses the mark, becoming a bit disjointed, challenging to follow, and altogether fractured. A mindfuck of a film can work; it can reel viewers into it, it can present an interactive element, and something to ultimately latch onto throughout. While certainly a mindfuck, I’m not entirely sure that Jacob’s Ladder is what it needed to be.

Even with all of the former being true, the strength of Jacob’s Ladder still remains in the narrative. The structure remains fractured and slightly ineffective, but the psychological horror that exists within Jacob’s story is fascinating. Fresh off of the success of Bull Durham, Robbins finds himself in a powerful role, one steeped in meaning and implication for the future of cinema. Robbins is no stranger to powerful roles, and he finds himself comfortable playing Jacob. He supports the narrative through and through, presenting viewers with something unique, yet conventional enough to thrill viewers and make them feel at home in his presence. His ability to bolster the narrative provides Jacob’s Ladder meaning beyond what it could have otherwise possessed. 

My final thoughts on Jacob’s Ladder is that the final fifteen seconds of the film are the best of the entire production. This isn’t to take anything away from the rest of the film, but, regardless of your thoughts on the rest of the film, the conclusion of the film is what ultimately seals the deal and perfectly rounds out this film. The last few seconds of the film were a literal “ah ha” moment that ultimately transcends the film as a whole. Jacob’s Ladder exists before its time; and while it doesn’t necessarily exist among the ranks of the best films of all time, it does present itself in a way that is wildly entertaining, viciously attractive, and a trailblazer for psychological horror films to come. 

Strong narrative, wrapped up in a messy execution. Strong performance hindered by uncertainty. Jacob’s Ladder is far ahead of its time. It struggles, but it’s a film that plays such a massive role in the world of film going forward. 

Directed by Adrian Lyne. 

Written by Bruce Joel Rubin. 

Starring Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello, Matt Cravin, Pruitt Taylor Vince, etc. 

7/10 - WATCH IT FOR FREE