''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 n ...

and

Kathy Baker } Katherine Whitton Baker (born June 8, 1950) is an American actress. Baker began her career in theater and made her screen debut in the 1983 drama film '' The Right Stuff''. She received the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Suppor ...

. 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. Predomin ...

, 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 *

as Martha * Sloane Shelton as Shirley *

Ivar Brogger Ivar Brogger (born January 10, 1947) is an American actor of stage, motion pictures and television. He is known for his appearances in several TV shows like '' 24'', '' NCIS'', '' Star Trek: Voyager'', '' Private Practice'' and a recurring role ...

as Depot Mechanic * Michael Arkin as Dispatcher * Tom Isbell as Bobby 'Red Sox' Buckman *

Kirk Taylor Kirk Beecher Taylor is an American actor, acting teacher, and musician with credits in film, television, and stage. He is best known for his work in the movies '' Full Metal Jacket'', ''Death Wish 3'', '' School Daze'', ''The Last Dragon'', '' Th ...

as Helicopter Gunner *

Jordan Lund Jordan Lund (born May 7, 1957) is an American stage, film and television character actor. Lund was born in Long Island, New York, the son of Miriam ( née Cohen) and Marvin Lund. He received his training as an actor at Carnegie Mellon School ...

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 Charles Stanley Dutton (born January 30, 1951) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his roles in the television series ''Roc (TV series), Roc'' (1991–1994) and the television film ''The Piano Lesson (film), The Piano Lesson'' ...

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 film ...

as Corridor Student *

Jessalyn Gilsig Jessalyn Sarah Gilsig (born November 30, 1971) is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her roles as Lauren Davis in ''Boston Public'', Gina Russo in ''Nip/Tuck'', Terri Schuester in ''Glee'', and as Siggy Haraldson in ''Vikings''. Early life ...

as His Girlfriend *

George Gerdes George Gerdes (February 23, 1948 – January 1, 2021) was an American singer-songwriter and character actor. Early life and education He was born in Queens, New York City. He formed a group, the Alumicron Fab Tabs, with friend Loudon Wain ...

as Tony *

Josh Pais Joshua Atwill Pais (born June 21, 1958) is an American actor and acting coach. He has appeared in the films ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (1990), ''Music of the Heart'' (1999), '' Assassination of a High School President'' (2008), '' I Saw the ...

as Rick *

Loudon Wainwright III Loudon Snowden Wainwright III (born September 5, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actor. He has released twenty-six studio albums, four live albums, and six compilations. Some of his best-known songs include "The Swimmin ...

as Ferretti * Walter Massey as Ed Buckman *

Elizabeth Franz Elizabeth Franz (born Betty Jean Frankovich) is an American stage and television actress. Life and career Franz was born Betty Jean Frankovich in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of a factory worker. She won a Tony Award for her role as Linda Lom ...

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-pea ...

, Canada,

Meriden, Connecticut Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located halfway between the regional cities of New Haven, Connecticut, New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, 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 Connecticu ...

, 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 wit ...

and

Newtown, CT Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the Greater Danbury metropolitan area as well as the New York metropolitan area. Newtown was founded in 1705, and later incorporated in 1711. As of the 2020 cens ...

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