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Critical Care

  • 1997
  • R
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
James Spader and Kyra Sedgwick in Critical Care (1997)
Home Video Trailer from Live Entertainment
Play trailer1:54
1 Video
57 Photos
Dark ComedyMedical DramaSatireComedyDrama

A hospital resident is put in the middle of a legal battle between two half-sisters on whether to pull their comatose dad's life support. But more seems to be at stake than dad's life - his ... Read allA hospital resident is put in the middle of a legal battle between two half-sisters on whether to pull their comatose dad's life support. But more seems to be at stake than dad's life - his inheritance.A hospital resident is put in the middle of a legal battle between two half-sisters on whether to pull their comatose dad's life support. But more seems to be at stake than dad's life - his inheritance.

  • Director
    • Sidney Lumet
  • Writers
    • Richard Dooling
    • Steven Schwartz
  • Stars
    • James Spader
    • Kyra Sedgwick
    • Helen Mirren
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    2.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sidney Lumet
    • Writers
      • Richard Dooling
      • Steven Schwartz
    • Stars
      • James Spader
      • Kyra Sedgwick
      • Helen Mirren
    • 18User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Critical Care
    Trailer 1:54
    Critical Care

    Photos57

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    Top cast30

    Edit
    James Spader
    James Spader
    • Dr. Werner Ernst
    Kyra Sedgwick
    Kyra Sedgwick
    • Felicia Potter
    Helen Mirren
    Helen Mirren
    • Stella
    Anne Bancroft
    Anne Bancroft
    • Nun
    Albert Brooks
    Albert Brooks
    • Dr. Butz
    Jeffrey Wright
    Jeffrey Wright
    • Bed Two
    Margo Martindale
    Margo Martindale
    • Connie Potter
    Wallace Shawn
    Wallace Shawn
    • Furnaceman
    Philip Bosco
    Philip Bosco
    • Dr. Hofstader
    Colm Feore
    Colm Feore
    • Wilson
    Edward Herrmann
    Edward Herrmann
    • Robert Payne
    James Lally
    • Poindexter
    Harvey Atkin
    Harvey Atkin
    • Judge Fatale
    Al Waxman
    Al Waxman
    • Sheldon Hatchett
    Hamish McEwan
    • Hansen
    Jackie Richardson
    Jackie Richardson
    • Mrs. Steckler
    Barbara Eve Harris
    Barbara Eve Harris
    • E.R. Nurse
    Conrad Coates
    Conrad Coates
    • Dr. Miller
    • Director
      • Sidney Lumet
    • Writers
      • Richard Dooling
      • Steven Schwartz
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    5.92.4K
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    Featured reviews

    KGB-Greece-Patras

    I am a Lumet fan already!

    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.
    8Cephyros

    Nice little film.

    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.
    7misha25

    An amazing bittersweet film that went undetected and unnoticed...........why?

    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.
    Doctor_Bombay

    What's not to hate?

    Sidney Lumet has made some wonderful, memorable, and important films. 12 Angry Men, Fail-Safe, Serpico, Network, and The Verdict among them--the list is long, and impressive.

    Unfortunately, his recent list is less than impressive: Night Falls on Manhattan and Gloria starring Sharon Stone immediately come to mind. Critical Care sits right there, underneath them.

    Talented actors like Philip Bosco, Edward Herrmann, and Helen Mirren can't save this confused Woody Allen meets 1984 attempt at…to tell you the truth I don't know what they were attempting.

    Yuck.
    10blindbiz

    Terrific film lampooning today's medical/legal maze

    This film should be required viewing for all physicians, insurance execs and lawyers. The story is a dark comedy which looks at the twisted mess that is our modern healthcare system. James Spader is perfect as a cynical medical resident who learns the hard way about the realities of dealing with a patient's family, lawyers and the insurance games played by hospital administrators. As a family practice physician I can say that the plot of this film rings true on many levels....the stress of being a resident, the battle between family members, insurance companies and hospital administrators and the conflicting expectations of all involved. A favorite of the Sundance Channel and with good reason. A great flick...

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford in Fleabag (2016)
    Dark Comedy
    Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo in Grey's Anatomy (2005)
    Medical Drama
    Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    Satire
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film cast includes two Oscar winners: Anne Bancroft and Helen Mirren; and one Oscar nominee: Albert Brooks.
    • Goofs
      Early in, as Dr Ernst runs down a hospital hallway past a skid piled with boxes, the two white ones shake as he passes, indicating that they are empty.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Werner Ernst: My question is, if you were comatose would you want to be kept a live for months by machines.

      Dr. Butz: Hell no! When I go, I don't want to be tortured in some bed. I have this planned out, Warner. I'm gonna be sitting on my back porch, I'm gonna have a Cuban cigar in one hand, and a big glass 'o scotch in the other, and a belly full of barbecued ribs with a ton of sauce. That's why I don't have insurance.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Red Corner/Critical Care/Switchback/Family Name (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Dry Bones
      Music by James Weldon Johnson

      Lyrics Traditional, based on Ezekiel 37:1-14 of the Bible

      Performed by the Delta Rhythm Boys

      Courtesy of the RCA Records label of BMG Entertainment

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Critical Care?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1997 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Özel ilgi
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • ASQA Film Partnership
      • Live Entertainment
      • Mediaworks
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $221,193
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $43,380
      • Nov 2, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $221,193
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 47m(107 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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