BRINGING OUT THE DEAD R
Starring Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, Tom Sizemore, John Goodman, and Ving Rhames
Eric Says:***** (5)
Just another weekend in the big city for Nicolas Cage. Meet Frank Pierce, a graveyard shift Emergency Medical Techincian whose ambulance is the hub of his growing insanity. He is worn out, having taken to drinking on the job (whoo-hoo, nothing like a drunken ambulance driver!), just waiting to get fired. One thing could help, though; saving someone. His first opportunity comes as a man is dying in his apartment from a heart attack. It's there where he meets real-life sweetheart Patricia Arquette as the dying man's ex-strung out daughter. Well, the man is temporarily saved and kept on life support in the hospital, providing more opportunities for the two to interact.
Most of the "action" takes place in the ambulance where Pierce interacts with fellow paramedics played by John Goodman as the old pro, Ving Rhames as the religious hooker-watcher, and Tom Sizemore, the crazed, power-tripping, violent ex-partner of Frank. It is within these conversations, as well as the over-used internal monologue, that we discover that most of his troubles are centered around a girl who he couldn't save, and the guilt that stays with him. He tries various remedies including mystery drugs, alcohol, IV drips, and three different types of soap - each one smelling like a different season. He realizes that the only salvation can come from saving another to help set his tally back to zero.
While there are some interesting visuals (especially the shot where we follow the streaking ambulance from above as it speeds by horizontally through the screen, the shot holding as the vehicle passes, making the city appear as if its been laid on it's side), the heart of the film remains close to the "Leaving Las Vegas" theme of tortured souls easing each others' pain in a desolate, desperate, depressing world. Only I'm not interested. Yes, Nic acts well, though it's similar to many characters he's played. The cinamatography, too, is well done. Martin Scorcese leaves me feeling as though I had visited New York in the "early "90's". Yet, when all is said and done, Mark Anthony as a troubled man and Ving are the only ones who held my attention. Patricia and Nicolas may have rescued each other, but they left me behind.
David says: ?????????? (?)
I am still contemplating the merits of seeing said movie. Please stop harrassing me. Please?