Jacknife redeems it in the specifics of the performances. De Niro, Harris and Baker seem to be oblivious to the "message," and lose themselves in the personalities of their characters. And so the movie works.

I have the feeling too many cooks spoiled what would otherwise have been a fine broth of a movie.

Jacknife works best when illustrating a quiet grace.

This Vietnam vet melodrama is extremely well acted by De Niro, Ed Harris, and Kathy Baker.