Great Film: Ladder 49
A Nutshell Review: Ladder 49
First, let me explain the movie title.
The firehouse featured in the movie has 2 vehicles. One of them is the
more conventional fire truck you see around, the one with the water
hoses. That truck is codenamed Engine 33 in this movie. Ladder 49 is
its companion truck, the one with the mega-ladder. This truck comprises
of the brave men in the fire department's rescue team, those who risk
their lives going into burning buildings without water (unlike Engine
33's), for the sole mission of saving other people's lives.
Which raises the question everyone asks of emergency responders
(police, fire dept, etc) - what makes them do what they do? In this
case, also raised in the movie, what makes them rush into a burning
building when everyone else is running out?
We follow the life of Joaquin Phoenix's character, Jack Morrison, whom
we see from rookie firefighter (waterboy) to hero, from singlehood to
fatherhood. This film, through his character, humanizes emergency
responders, their lives, their camaraderie, their courage. It also
explores relationships within their families, which is key, as family
members struggle to understand the risks their spouses/fathers
undertake everyday in their job.
Don't expect another Backdraft, which was more of an "arson-whodunnit",
with spectacular beastly fires engulfing the screen. This film dwells
more on characterization and drama, with well placed action set pieces
between slow moments which will set you thinking, and at the end of the
film, appreciating the courage of these brave men and the threats they
face daily in their job.
Cast
- Jack Morrison played by Joaquin Phoenix
- Captain Mike Kennedy played by John Travolta
- Tony Corrigan played by Tim Guinee
- Lenny Richter played by Robert Patrick
- Tommy Drake played by Morris Chestnut
- Keith Perez played by Jay Hernandez
- Frank Mckinny played by Kevin Chapman
