Ladder 49 (2004)

Predictable, cliche-ridden, melodrama

What a shame that the first post-9/11 movie about firefighters is this utterly predictable, cliche-ridden, melodrama. You can see the plot twists coming at you from a mile away. Yes, we all appreciate and acknowledge the very dangerous work that our firemen do. But they deserve much better than this contrived, poorly conceived piece of propaganda. For a more realistic depiction of what it's like to live the life of a fireman, watch an episode or two of Dennis Leary's "Rescue Me". June 4, 2008

Next time you see a firefighter say thanks

"Ladder 49" gives those of us who've never stood close to the fire a peek at the lives of those underpaid and overworked civil servants who go out every day -- and may not return.

This is primarily a strong emotional drama about the bond between brothers (and sisters) in the service, not so much an action adventure or disaster film. The story details the career of Jack (Phoenix) as he comes in a rookie Baltimore firefighter, meets his captain (Travolta), loses friends and gains a wife (Barrett).

Joaquin Phoenix is one of the strongest actors of his generation. He can depict more with a gesture or two than many other actors can with an entire soliloquy. When he puts on the coat and the turnout boots, you forget he's an actor and think he's a firefighter in peril.

WARNING: you need a box of tissues next to you while you are watching this film. It will pull on your heart and yes--make you want to thank the next firefighters you see.

Rebecca Kyle, May 2008 May 19, 2008

Not much of a plot, but worth watching as a family film

I just saw Ladder 49 and I was kind of expecting a grittier more intense film, but this is quite the opposite. Instead, it is an in-depth look at the life of firefighter Jack Morrisson played by Joaquin Phoenix. It's the usual story of struggle to success, to tragedy, and finally one of hope as the credits begin to roll. Ladder 49 is a family film made for all the firefighters out there. It has it's predictable moments as family films tend to have. It has the firefighter who dies in the beginning, another one who gets badly injured, and the hero who sets the tone at the end. It's your typical firefighter genre film that seems a little repetitive and truly does not stand out as a classic film for years to come. As I said, don't expect this to be a gritty film ala Backdraft, but it does have it's moments that put a smile on your face. It's a movie void of a definitive plot, but about the lifespan of what a firefighter might deal with in his career. We are put in the driver's seat of one firefighter as he takes us through when he first arrives at the firehouse, till his ultimate challenge towards the end. And that's really the film in a nutshell.

They could have made a backstory as well(drugs, crooked firefighter) to keep the pace up and intrigue the audience a bit, but I believe the director clearly wanted to make this film about firefighting in general and the rollercoaster of emotions one particular firefighter and those close to him might go through on the job. Overall, it's a good family film with a sad ending that may or may not be suitable for pre-teens or anyone who has lost a relative fighting fires, without giving too much of the ending away.
April 15, 2008

An emotional rollercoaster of a film that leaves you breathless...

`Ladder 49' is tender and touching, a film that will tug at the heartstrings of just about anyone. If you're not at least on the verge of tears by the time the credits begin to roll then you may want to check you're pulse. That said, the weepy or sappy aspect of this movie at times can be a drawback, for it makes it come across overly sentimental and not quite `dramatic' enough to be realistic, but this is minor and for the most part the film connects well with the viewer.

It's a film that is designed to get at you, to make you weep in the heroic acts of our men in uniform and their tragic sacrifices for our safety and betterment. In this respect it works quite well. In fact when I saw this film in the theaters when it was released we happened to have our local fire department present and I sat next to a few of them and after the film closed, with tears in all of our eyes, we shook hands and embraced and I thanked them for their bravery. This is the type of film that elicits your respect and heartfelt gratitude.

The film opens with a savage fire engulfing a tall building. We are then introduced to the firefighters entering that building to rescue the men trapped inside. Within moments we watch Jack Morrison (our obvious hero) fall through the collapsing floor and all is black. Now we're in flashback mode and we get to watch Jack as he joins the fire department and we get to see everything that made him the hero we saw in the films blistering opening. We watch Jack get embraced by his fellow firefighters, meet and fall in love with Linda, become a father, lose friends to the flame; all the while we know that he is lying on his back in rubble waiting to be rescued.

There are many moments within this film that work so beautifully. One in particular has stayed with me for quite a long time. There is a scene within the film where Jack Morrison and fellow firefighter Lenny Richter (Phoenix's `Walk the Line' costar Robert Patrick) receive medals of honor for rescuing a young girl from a devastating fire. This scene alone touched me deeper than any other scene in the film, even the emotional ending. It was simple, it was sincere and it was moving. It wasn't overly sappy or forced. It was a small act but watching that young girl hand them their medals was almost too much for me to bear up under.

One great draw to this film is the impressive action sequences. The fire rescue missions are so realistic and breathtaking you feel as though you are there fighting the fire with them. One scene in particular where Morrison is searching through a smoke filled apartment you feel almost suffocated by the fumes. Director Jay Russell delivers beautifully in this respect.

`Ladder 49' owes a lot to the acting as well. Phoenix is a little too `jolly' at times, kind of childish in the very beginning, but he grows into his character well. The rest of the cast though doesn't have any problems grabbing hold of their character from the moment the step on the screen till the moment their presence is gone. John Travolta, an actor I'm not generally impressed with, actually impressed me. As the Captain he manages to infuse enough humor into his dramatic and almost parental performance that he becomes relatable and very likable. Robert Patrick has perfected playing the jerk and he doesn't disappoint here. A jerk with a heart. Morris Chestnut is sorely underused, but he works well with what he's given. The true standout here though is the beautiful Jacinda Barrett who delivers an award worthy performance as Linda, Jack's long suffering wife. She portrays perfectly that mix of admiration and frustration with her husband's dangerous line of work.

When all is said and done `Ladder 49' accomplishes what it sets out to do. It touches our hearts and makes us think about those men and women that risk their lives everyday so that we can feel safe. At times it may tug a little too hard or a little too often but it's a forgivable misstep in a film that is so likable and moving you can't help but pardon its minor error. January 31, 2008

LADDER 49

The DVD arrived within the timeframe I was told it would arrive. As it was a gift, I did not watch it. But Christina was as thrilled as could be at Christmas when she got it. Thank you for making a very sweet girl extremely happy!!Ladder 49 (Widescreen Edition) December 26, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...