Réception
Bien que considéré comme le meilleur film d'Adrian Lyne par une partie de la critique, L'Échelle de Jacob est aussi l'un des rares échecs commerciaux du réalisateur.
Angel Heart (Alan Parker 1987) et L'échelle de Jacob lancèrent la mode des films à twist final, genre de films où le rebondissement majeur se situe à la fin ou vers la dernière partie du film, ce dernier nécessitant alors un nouveau visionnement pour une totale compréhension.Pourtant, ce sont des films comme Usual Suspects (1995) ou Sixième Sens (1999) qui ont popularisé le genre.
(Pas aîmé ces deux films et je déteste ce principe ! on nous prend vraiment trop pour des cons)
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La critique U.S des spectateurs IMdB
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Way before Shyamalan came on board, Adrian Lyne had blown the collective consciousness!
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One "reviewer" here wrote (I presume) in all seriousness "Like a bad dream - impossible to understand!" That being the case,I can only describe his subsequent attempt to compile a review as"gutsy" in the extreme I believe JACOB'S LADDER is one of the 10 best films ever made.It is NOT impossible to understand you merely have to listen and interpret! For those without the ability to effect the latter...just listen!
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Danny Aiello's character, Louis the chiropracter lays it out for you - word for word. I think it is the best part Aiello ever had, small one though it is in terms of screen time. Integral to a collective grasp of this great and disturbing film however is the need to tie-in the relationship between Jacob the individual, the biblical "Jacob's Ladder" itself and the relevance of "The Ladder" as explained (and seemingly forgotten by most everybody) by the runty chemical weapons boffin at the near conclusion of the film.
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To those who view the ending as "rushed," "unsatisfying," "obscure" even "dumb" as I recall, I would merely suggest you watch it again and take into account the likelihood is, that it is in fact YOU that has missed what has been so cleverly set out for you. SIGNS was equally misunderstood by the majority of people that even liked it - there never WERE any aliens!JACOB'S LADDER is Robbins' greatest film - Lyne's too. The last few minutes are amongst the most emotional and uplifting scenes I have ever seen since the "star child" in 2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY. Culkin was the perfect choice!
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I saw this movie in a near deserted theater in Times Square the week it came out. At the conclusion of this particular late show I noticed an old man sitting some two rows away to my left, absorbed in his thoughts. Having to walk past him to gain the exit I noticed tears in his eyes. He looked up as I approached. After studying me for a moment all he said to me was "You understood didn't you?" I said, "Yes I understood!" He replied softly..."You're very lucky!"
