The greatest movie ever made..!

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Perfectly adorable

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Jacknife is a 1989 American film directed by David Jones and starring Robert De Niro, Ed Harris and Kathy Baker. 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, the film was based, wrote the screenplay.Joseph Megessey is a Vietnam war 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 now an alcoholic, 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 chaperon 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.This movie is extremely well acted by its performers particularly De Niro, Harris, and Baker.Despite the fact that the movie provides nothing new about the post-Vietnam experience,it still manages to become an eye-opener for the adjustments of Vietnam War soldiers at home.Still worth watching!!!

This entry in a small series of post-Vietnam War readjustment melodramas doesn't, unfortunately, measure up to its potential. Three notable actors do what they can with material perhaps better suited to the less demanding standards of television; De Niro, in particular, exhibits his usual flair as the extroverted, nicknamed title character, who attempts to help shell-shocked fellow veteran Ed Harris out of his depression while falling in love with his friend's lonely wallflower sister (a thankless role for Kathy Baker). Director David Jones contributes little to Stephen Metcalfe's stage play except a few gratuitous combat flashbacks, which add nothing but noise to what should have been a subtle, low-key character study. Such genuine and well-meant sympathy for homecoming soldiers is certainly not out of place, but the sometimes over-earnest treatment doesn't do them any favors.

" I like when my friends visit me, i feel i am not alone and this is very important, not only for veterans but to everyone, not feeling alone" says veteran group leader CHARLES DUTTON in JACKNIFE, a movie about love, friendship, life etc.., This is not a war movie, this is a movie that shows veterans, war just acts as sub-plot.Joseph Megessey ( known as 'megs' or 'jacknife') visits dave after 15 years to take him for fishing which they planned with their friend bobby who died in war before they returned from Vietnam and he says it is opening day.Dave is friend of megs and bobby is suffering from PTSD (post trauma stress disorder) has became an alcoholic to forget his friend bobby's death rather it gets worse everday which also affects his sister martha's life who is a biology teacher and pretty old too but not married yet because of dave.megs's arrival does not pleases dave but it blossoms romance with her sister which stresses more trouble for dave which leads to an confrontation at martha's prom which leads to an solution that dave is obsessed with all the time.The way movie opened stimulated an interest to watch it keenly but the treatment is contrast to the opening because the way it opened gave an impression that it is a dark deniro's kind of serious drama which don't have any significance after.The only great element survived the movie is the commitment the actors had and the way they executed is admirable especially the way deniro sporting with facial hair, definitely director must have convinced every actor on creating a impression of doing a great movie but it does'nt failed because the commitment is worth the admission for the movie.

I loved this movie. It is rare to get a glimpse of post-partum Vietnam, and this movie-sans combat scenes and exciting bombs and gunfire- did it. I had no idea I'd be so affected by it. What an amazing look at how alien Vets feel. It was tough to watch, quite frankly. We all understand the fighting and the Apocalypse Now type of drama, but this is so so different. What happens when they come back and try to live a life? They can't. It made me very aware of a large group of men that are rattling around lost in America. Not able to relate, can't sleep, can't have love affairs, can't deal with "normal society". They feel totally apart. This is a huge tragedy, and one that isn't addressed enough. Yeah, we've changed our attitude about Vietnam Vets, we like them now, but so what? It doesn't seem to have made any difference to them. It's too late? So it was a great film, but I cried a lot. I have no other criticisms.