Ladder 49
2004
Joaquin Phoenix is great in this saga of Baltimore firefighter Jack Morrison, whose life starts flashing before his eyes when he becomes trapped in a blazing high rise. Flashbacks chronicle his memories of being a rookie at his Baltimore fire company. He remembers fighting his first fire, bonding with fellow firefighters, .. Read more
| Starring | Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett, Robert Patrick |
|---|---|
| Director | Jay Russell |
| Genres | Drama, Thriller |
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Ladder 49
Joaquin Phoenix is great in this saga of Baltimore firefighter Jack Morrison, whose life starts flashing before his eyes when he becomes trapped in a blazing high rise. Flashbacks chronicle his memories of being a rookie at his Baltimore fire company. He remembers fighting his first fire, bonding with fellow firefighters, falling in love with a beautiful local girl (Jacinda Barrett), getting married, and having children. He also looks back on forming a close relationship with the fire chief (John Travolta) and learning to face the danger and heroics of life on the job. This film manages to wring plenty of well-earned tears from its subject matter--as well as spine-tingling thrills--which are the result of solid performances, characterisation, and good naturalistic dialogue from screenwriter Lewis Colick. Barrett is great as Jack's worried wife; she and Phoenix exhibit strong, earthy chemistry in their scenes together. Travolta makes a fine fire captain who is graceful, sure of himself, and always ready to give up the spotlight to the younger actors. Other firemen include Morris Chestnut, Balthazar Getty, and Robert Patrick. The addition of a soundtrack of contemporary Irish and Irish-American folk and rock keeps the melancholia just a whisper away. The heroics of 9/11 are subtly honoured here, but never directly mentioned, which is to the film's credit.
| Starring | Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett, Robert Patrick, Morris Chestnut, Balthazar Getty, Kevin Chapman |
|---|---|
| Director | Jay Russell |
| Studio | WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 45 mins Blu-ray: 1 hr 45 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama, Thriller |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 06 Jun 2005 Blu-ray: 16 Jun 2008 Production year: 2004 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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This drama about the trials and tribulations of an American firefighter was conceived in the aftermath of 11 September as a tribute to a profession hit heavily by the terrorist attacks. Joaquin Phoenix plays the raw recruit who earns his stripes under the auspices of father figure John Travolta and goes on to become a firehouse legend. His progress through life and the department is recounted in flashback as he lies trapped in a burning building, cut off from his colleagues. This oft-told and predictable story doesn't shy away from emotion — in fact it heads straight for it as if answering an alarm. Director Jay Russell has taken a male drama and made a melodrama that, though stirring at times, fails to live up to its laudable intention.
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Theres a definite post-9/11 feel to this slice-of-life drama looking at the everyday heroics of Americas firemen.... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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40 out of 52 people found this review helpful
Definatley recommended
This one is a definate for all. The world all over needs firefighters so this movie opens your eyes to what the firefighters families go through day to day, not knowing if their loved ones will come home at the end of their shift. Starring John Travolta and Joaquin Pheonix who each play their parts equally brilliant this one is definalty going to be jumping off the shelves once released.
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Most recent members' review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Schmaltzy
A bit too schmaltzy and sentimental for my liking, in the 'Steel Magnolias' vein, but Joaquin Phoenix was very watchable. Special effects better than 'Backdraft', as you would expect given how long ago 'Backdraft' was made, but in a direct contest, 'Backdraft' wins - more plot.
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News and features
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Grudging success in US box office
- 25 Oct 2004
American cinemagoers have surprised critics again, by shooting horror remake The Grudge to the top of the charts. The film, a low-budget remake of the Japanese film Ju-On: The Grudge, was expected to have a moderate opening but instead stormed to the number one spot taking $40 million (£21.7 million) in its first three days. "If we would have done 20 [million dollars], we would have been ecstatic," said Rory Bruer, president of domestic distribution at Columbia Pictures. In the... Read more
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- Ladder 49 - BLU-RAY Version
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Joaquin Phoenix is great in this saga of Baltimore firefighter Jack Morrison, whose life starts flashing before his eyes when he becomes trapped in a blazing high rise. Flashbacks chronicle his ... -