Friday, June 24, 2011

Vitanza - Ladder 49 (Film)

Jack Morris has nothing to envy, he has the job of his dreams, the girl he loves and he is starting his own family, during the first half of the film. As the movie progresses we see the love Jack has for his job. He comes in as the rookie, where captain, played by Travolta, and the rest of his future comrades welcome him with open arms. From this instance on we start noticing the type of bond all the firefighters share within the house, including the captain.

During Jack’s first mission, in which he and the captain enter a house on fire, Jack takes charge of the hose; the captain is assisting him during the process. Once they are through with the fire the camera catches the moment in which both exit the house victorious, and this scene, particularly, gives us an idea of what will be the relationship between the captain and Morris. Even later in the film we see the captain become the godfather of one of Jack’s children, interacting with the kids, putting them to bed after the birthday party and so on. So, the captain takes Jack as his pupil and not only as that, but ends up caring for him and the well being of his family, and Jack looks up to his captain and trusts him above everything.

I believe being in Jack’s position it is hard to give up something you love doing for your family’s sake. This particular issue causes Jack to become this sour husband that does not want his family being around his comrades during hard times; like that time when one of his fellow fighters got burnt by steam. This leads to the scene in which Jack and Linda are discussing the possibility of him transferring to an office, a position the captain offered him. The discussion ends with Linda opposing to the fact that Jack will have to give up what he loves doing best, and it is a little confusing because she wants him to still be a fighter but not have to risk his life at all, yet not feel miserable.

The fact that Jack Morris dies, during his last mission, is a turning point in the story. It is sad he left his children and wife alone, but as he loved his family we know he loved his job just as much.

1 comment:

Mary McCay said...

A lot of men might envy Jack the camaraderie his job offers and the satisfaction he gets fom it. I can't imagine a shoe salesman or a bus driver having the kind of secon home the firehouse offers Jack. He is lucky in that, and I think he even likes the danger.