They live to fight fire, and they die to save lives.
The movie “Ladder 49” is a realistic portrayal of the lives of firefighters. Jaoquin Phoenix plays Jack Morrison,a firefighter who finds himself trapped inside a burning building after attempting to rescue a man. While passing in and out of consciousness, his life from when he starts as a firefighter through his marriage plays through his head as he waits for his crew to rescue him. John Travolta plays the fire chief of Ladder 49 in which he is the father figure – essentially the babysitter – of the entire crew.
This movie portrays what firefighters go through on a day-to-day basis, as well as the extreme dangers they face. Although the movie appears serious, the lighter side of the occupation is also shown. In one scene, after Jack is welcomed onto the squad as a rookie, he becomes the victim in a prank involving a church confessional.
There are also some touching moments between Jack and his family, as well as among the Ladder 49 members. The audience witnesses how emotionally demanding it is to be the family of a firefighter. Not only that, but the audience sees how the losses of fellow firefighters effecst them by bringing them closer together. This movie makes for a real tear jerker.
This is the best firefighter movie that has come out since “Backdraft.” “Ladder 49” is more realistic and shows more of the struggles that a firefighter has with family and work. This movie is recommend to anyone who likes to laugh and cry at the same time.
“Ladder 49” combines great entertainment value along with a real perspective into everyday life as a firefighter.
