Jacob’s Ladder (18): Little Pieces Of Humanity - The Films Of Adrian Lyne
Sat 23 Aug 2025
7pm
€10.50
113 minutes - United States 1990 Director: Adrian Lyne Starring: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña and Danny Aiello “The most frightening thing about Jacob Singer's nightmare is that he isn't dreaming” proclaimed the posters for the deeply unsettling JACOB’S LADDER. It takes place in seventies New York and follows postal worker Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins), a Vietnam veteran who is plagued by bizarre and violent hallucinations. These visions are so strong that the line between past and present, real and unreal, begin to dissolve. Jacob makes a desperate bid to solve the mystery of what is happening to him, painfully aware that time is running out. JACOB’S LADDER is an immensely effective psychological thriller which is best experienced on the big screen. “It is a truly creepy, nerve-jangling experience.” Chicago Tribune
LITTLE PIECES OF HUMANITY - THE FILMS OF ADRIAN LYNE In a recent interview the filmmaker Adrian Lyne says that he looks for the “little pieces of humanity” when shooting a scene. Some tangible details that give his characters that extra dimension that an audience can recognise and identify with. Lyne makes
movies populated by characters dealing with emotionally-engaging issues, often these issues revolve around relationships and sexuality, and are always presented in a highly stylish manner. But it is those persuasive “little pieces of humanity” that gives the films their edge. They ground them in a relatable form of reality and allow the films to resonate with audiences at the time of their release and beyond. This summer, Triskel Arts Centre presents a season dedicated to the work of Lyne, a British director who forged a career in Hollywood by making some of the most popular and talked about films of their time. We will screen his first six features: Lyne makes his debut with the moving coming-of-age story FOXES; the glitzy dance drama FLASHDANCE follows; 9 ½ WEEKS is the sensual and controversial relationship tale; FATAL ATTRACTION is the highly influential domestic thriller that was one of the highest grossing films of 1987; the criminally underrated psychological horror JACOB’S LADDER comes next; and the steamy drama INDECENT PROPOSAL was one of the most popular and debated films of 1993.These movies will all be screened over six consecutive Saturdays starting 26 July and tickets are on sale now.
