The heroism of firefighters is brutally exploited in this dishonest flick, eager to convert post-9/11 pain into cheap euphoria.
Joaquin Phoenix and John Travolta co-star as firefighters in a Baltimore firehouse who go to work each day to face profound ups and downs – from day-to-day dullness to exhilarating action and frightening terror. And their lives revolve around the unpredictable ding-ding-ding of a fire bell.
As the film opens, firefighter Jack Morrison (Phoenix) battles a major warehouse fire with his crew. When a floor caves in, Morrison is trapped and injured – and in a difficult place to reach.
While he’s awaiting the hoped-for rescue, he thinks back over his career. And that’s when Ladder 49 begins in earnest.
Jack recalls his first day on the job and the pranks that soon enfold him in the camaraderie of the fire hall.
Like other newcomers, he’s taken under the wing of the Ladder 49 commander, Mike Kennedy (Travolta), and develops strong bonds with fellow firefighters (Morris Chestnut, Robert Patrick, Balthazar Getty, Billy Burke and Kevin Chapman),
He also meets Linda (Jacinda Barrett), falls in love, gets married and has a family – all displayed through the compressed flashbacks of the injured firefighter.
Meanwhile, Kennedy climbs through the fire department ranks to chief but maintains his paternal interest in Jack and the rest of the Ladder 49 crew.
Travolta lends his smaller role authority and graciously lets Phoenix carry the picture as Jack. The younger actor brings a comfortable, everyman quality to Jack – even if he’s an everyman who is willing to run into a burning building when everyone else is running out.
As part of his preparation for the movie, Phoenix trained for a month at a fire academy and spent another month with the men of Baltimore’s Truck 10. He became an honorary member and had the same tattoo as the men of the company, a bumblebee wearing a fire helmet with an axe.
Jack Morrison
Joaquin Phoenix Captain Mike Kennedy
John Travolta Linda Morrison
Jacinda Barrett Lenny Richter
Robert Patrick Tommy Drake
Morris Chestnut Dennis Gauquin
Billy Burke Ray Gauquin
Balthazar Getty Tony Corrigan
Tim Guinee Frank Mckinny
Kevin Chapman Keith Perez
Jay Hernandez Don Miller
Kevin Daniels Pete Lamb
Steve Maye Ed Reilly
Robert Lewis Katie Morrison
Brooke Hamlin Nicky Morrison
Spencer Berglund Opal
Karen Vicks Maria
Desiree Care Marlene Drake
Deidra LaWan Starnes Julia
Peggy Cafferty Margarita
Marja Allen Roseleen Morrison
Leslie Lyles Kevin Morrison
Robert Keiper Battalion Chief
Robert G. McKay Lt. Yant
Mark Yant P.I.O.
Richard Pilcher Father Hogan
Robert O’Neill Jenny
Rori D. Godsey Alice
Yvonne Erickson Mayor Martin O’Malley Himself
Director
Jay Russell
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As the film opens, firefighter Jack Morrison (Phoenix) battles a major warehouse fire with his crew. When a floor caves in, Morrison is trapped and injured – and in a difficult place to reach.
