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, characterization, 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 honored here, but never directly mentioned, which is to the film's credit.
THEATRICAL RELEASE: OCTOBER 1, 2004
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
THX Certified
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes
Audio Commentary
Shorts: EVERYDAY HEROES: REAL STORIES FROM REAL FIRE FIGHTERS
Making Of LADDER 49
Executive Producer
Armyan Bernstein: Screenwriter/Director/Prod.
Director of Photography
James L. Carter: Director of photography
Review 1:
"As a loving tribute to the courage and sacrifice of firefighters, it's first-class."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.E8 10/01/2004
Review 2:
"[An] uncommonly effective film..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.12 03/04/2005
Review 3:
"The movie is a quiet salute; it does its job....And it's got quiet, sturdy performances to match."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.90 10/08/2004
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