This week, the Mikes dig into Jacknife, a small-scale character drama about friendship, trauma, and the lingering wounds of Vietnam. We break down De Niro's volatile performance as a haunted veteran, Ed Harris's quiet restraint, and how the film navigates survivor's guilt without tipping fully into melodrama. We debate whether its made-for-TV aesthetics undercut the emotional weight, and talk through the uneasy love triangle at the heart of the story. Plus: Vietnam War nicknames, coffee talk, and an unusual discussion about soups.

 

Wikipedia page for Jacknife.

 

Films recommended this episode:

 

 

 

Next week: This Boy's Life