Critical Care

This was on television the other day and the guide information, as well as the dvd cover made it look like a wacky comedy, and I was in the mood for a wacky slapstick go around - however it is somewhat of a comedy but more so a serious drama questioning morality and mortality and much deeper than it had the right to be. Don't get me wrong, it is still 90's campy but entertaining and a good watch. Acting is a mixed bag but this film is more about the story than the acting. It is a seven out of ten kind of deal but I am bumping it up to a ten out of ten just to offset the current rating.

Not bad medical drama hampered by the fact that for a great deal of the film Spader's character behaves like an idiot. This isn't the actors fault, he gives as good a performance as possible considering the actions forced on him by the script. He is certainly supported by a high quality cast in almost every role. Kyra Sedgwick is annoying and not terribly convincing but she is the lone sore spot. Helen Mirren is wonderful as an understanding and compassionate nurse and Albert Brooks a stitch as a loony doctor well past his sell by date. The script has many holes but it does make a strong plea for doctors seeing patients as people not just science projects and sources of income.

Well I liked this a lot. I have only seen THE NETWORK so far from the same director and I am more willing now than before to check more. Thought provoking as few films can be & having a context dealing with many interesting, philosophical topics, this will probably appeal to the majority of serious film fans. Located in a hospital, it comments on euthanasia, doctor's and medical personnel everyday life, medical care VS. money but then again, much much more.

Not long before the end, and after some smart religion-centered dialogs, I was a bit disappointed by the "religious" overtone given mostly the "nun"-character, but in the next scenes the film delivers again...

Highly recommended, but it can be a bit depressing at times for the very sensitive ones.

A very sarcastic film, and quite an entertaining one, too. Although (or maybe because) many of the truths about the American medical system presented seem to have been taken directly from Samuel Shem's novels, and despite the hard to believe ending, this movie is fun to watch. Its relatively low imdb rating is prove for the relatively low level of humor that most people share. I recommend this movie to any medical student, trust me- you will enjoy it.

It is hard to say HOW this film escaped my radar..... Just saw it in IFC and was amazed at the breadth of talent on it along with the wonderful ideas.

Would like to see it a couple of more times just to digest it.

Don't own a TV - my girlfriend does; I only watch it when I see her.

Why on earth this movie did not get proper distribution ?

Strongly recommend.

Wallace Shawn's character made me think of All that Jazz - don't ask me why. Maybe due to their life/death discussions.

Ed Hermann was really astonishing as a lawyer.Kira Sedgwick and James Spader were

truly wonderful together.

Hope to hear some feedback.