Im Feuer

Ein Feuerwehrdrama, das überraschenderweise das Actionpotenzial ignoriert und das sich ausschließlich auf die humanistische Dimension der Lebensgeschichte eines gewöhnlichen Menschen konzentriert – von einem begeisterten jungen Mann bis zu einem verantwortungsvollen Vater. Die Rettung des Haupthelden in Gefahr, die mit Flashbacks aus seiner Vergangenheit kombiniert wird, ist am Anfang schablonenhaft und einfallslos. Später gewinnt sie aber allmählich das Interesse der Zuschauer*innen. Das ist vor allem das Verdienst des ausgezeichneten Joaquin Phoenix. Ein kleiner und im Vergleich zu Howards Backdraft - Männer, die durchs Feuer gehen einfacher Film ohne einen Plot. Das Herz des Zuschauers entblößt er aber auf eine ehrliche Art und Weise. (11.08.2005)

It's like the calendars have turned back to the early 1990s when genre films "for guys" were being made. The story went off track, and the emphasis was on sentimental speeches, true manly friendships that last forever, and a good dose of adrenaline-fueled but realistic action. That's exactly the category Ladder 49 falls into. It lacks none of the aforementioned. However, ten years later, even the "retro" memories want something more. The absence of a story, which has been replaced by unimpressive flashbacks of the firefighter's life, is not the main missing link. The film lacks a proper narrative structure, as with the increasing minutes, the stereotypical family pictures become as boring as the firefighting action, which, despite its well-balanced dose of audience appeal and realistic "documentary" approach, fails to truly captivate. The viewer's main enemy is the runtime, which is completely unnecessary given the subject matter and deserves to be cut, especially in the "family passages." Joaquin Phoenix may have been scared of his first proper leading role because in many scenes he gives the impression of a boy caught playing with matches in a hayloft. The more the audience might have been let down by the film's structure, the more they will enjoy the fantastic performance of John Travolta, who remains charming until his emotionally charged final speech that must have resonated with all moviegoers while comforting the mournful souls of the funeral attendees, as Ladder 49 is a pure celebration of the heroic performance of "its American boys." I would like to say (or write) that if you put on a tough smile and surrender to the film, you will immensely enjoy it. However, Ladder 49 is too scattered between a family soap opera and a film "for guys," making it difficult for the audience to fully immerse themselves and appreciate it. On the other hand, I must applaud the team of pyrotechnicians and stunt performers who ultimately provided the adrenaline rush. Although there wasn't much of it, some is still better than none. (09.07.2005)

The basic storyline is divided into two parts: the present (a huge fire in a building – perfectly shot, by the way) and the retrospectively narrated past, when the director introduces us to the past of Jack Morrison – the main hero of the story. But these two parts do not fit together very well and they feel like a weakly assembled puzzle. Throughout movie, there are only a few scenes that can captivate a person and somehow touch their heart. The rest is nothing but a cliché seen a thousand times over. (22.01.2005)