A conflict develops between a troubled Vietnam veteran and the sister he lives with when she becomes involved romantically with the army buddy who reminds him of the tragic battle they both survived.
Acting
Harris's trembling rage versus De Niro's coiled snake energy.
Writing
Stephen Metcalfe's play adaptation keeps the stage's claustrophobic pressure.
Director
David Hugh Jones
Robert De Niro
Joseph 'Jacknife' Megessey
Kathy Baker
Martha Flannigan
Ed Harris
David 'High School' Flannigan
Ivar Brogger
Depot Mechanic
Jordan Lund
Tiny
Charles S. Dutton
Jake, Veteran Encounter Group Leader
Bruce Ramsay
Corridor Student
Jessalyn Gilsig
His Girlfriend
Josh Pais
Rick
Gabrielle Carteris
College Girl in Bar
Kirk Taylor
Helicopter Gunner
George Gerdes
Tony
Lois Dellar
Cocktail Waitress
Loudon Wainwright III
Ferretti
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Metcalfe's play 'Strange Snow'—the film kept the original's three-hander structure but opened up flashback sequences.
Released months after Born on the Fourth of July, this was part of 1989's wave of Vietnam films treating veterans as damaged humans rather than action heroes.
CA
US
