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James Spader, Kyra Sedgwick, Helen Mirren, Margo Martindale, Jeffrey Wright ... see more see more... , Wallace Shawn , Anne Bancroft , Albert Brooks , Philip Bosco , Edward Herrmann , Colm Feore , James Lally , Al Waxman , Harvey Atkin

Sidney Lumet filmed this hospital satire at a Canadian studio. Alcoholic Dr. Butz (Albert Brooks in old-age makeup) advises younger Dr. Werner Ernst (James Spader) to only treat patients with much ins... read more read more...urance. "When the lawyers start crawling all over you," says Butz, "that's when you know you're a doctor." Ernst, a second-year resident working in the ICU with head nurse Stella (Helen Mirren), winds up in the middle of a dispute between two sisters (Kyra Sedgwick and Margo Martindale). One wants to pull the plug on their wealthy father; the other demands that he remain alive (at a cost of $112,800 a month). Soon events swivel from the money-mad medical mire to equally murky legalistics. Steven Schwartz's screenplay was adapted from the novel by Richard Dooling. Shown at the 1997 Chicago Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

30% liked it

1,252 ratings

Critics

59% liked it

17 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Release Date: October 31, 1997

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DVD Release Date: March 15, 2000

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Stats: 38 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (38)

  • jjnxn
    September 12, 2010
    jjnxn
    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 actor's 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... read more 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.
  • vrtualme
    May 23, 2007
    vrtualme
    it?s been about 10 years since the last time i watched this. i thought i remembered it being funny, but now it only makes me glad i don?t have health insurance.

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Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

...it emerges as a magically entertaining blend of heart, soul, mind, wit, farce and, finally, an idyllic idealism. Full Review

Jeff Millar
January 1, 2000
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

Lumet moves with confidence between satire and intriguing, heightened-reality spirituality.

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

...a drily funny satire about America's health care woes... Full Review

Stephen Holden
January 1, 2000
Stephen Holden, New York Times

...the performances are juicy and intelligent. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
May 20, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

There's not much that's subtle in Lumet's tirade against the greed of the medical profession and health-care system and patients who sue. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Todd McCarthy
March 26, 2009
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

August 18, 2007
Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Jeff Strickler
November 6, 2002
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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