Apparently, the script for Jacob's Ladder, written by Bruce Joel Rubin (Ghost, Deep Impact), sat for quite some time, with no filmmaker willing to take it on. Why? Because it's full of almost unremitting pain for its protagonist, Vietnam vet Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins). Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction) had the courage to finally make the film and work with its layers of dreams, fantasy and reality. His effort was worthwhile, even if the film is flawed.
Jacob's Ladder begins in Vietnam, where a ghastly battle wipes out many of Jacob's buddies, and leaves him with his midsection bayoneted. From that moment on, we are tossed into a whirling blend of dreams and reality, and we're not sure which is which.
We rejoin Jacob back home in New York City, struggling to retain his sanity and to sort out what actually happened in Vietnam. We follow along as he tries to piece things together.
Robbins does a good job as the bewildered Jacob. He is the ultimate victim, with something bad happening to him at every turn. Danny Aiello plays Louis, Jacob's chiropractor and only dependable friend. He is eccentric and loyal, giving new credibility to the back-cracking profession. Matt Craven is good as a chemist with an explanation for the mysterious events in Vietnam. Also look for Macauley Culkin in an uncredited role that immediately preceded his burst into prominence in Home Alone.
The problem with Jacob's Ladder is that it gives us so much disturbing fantasy and confusing dreams that the misery is unrelenting. There are too few moments of calm to remind us of the life Jacob aspires to.
However, this remains an interesting film to stick with and repeatedly reassess what's real and what's just a dream. Ultimately, the craziness ends, the mystery is cleared up and we're left with a surprisingly honest and touching conclusion.
