Review of Bringing Out the Dead (1999) by Jasmin S — 26 Mar 2009

"I realised that my training was useful in less than ten percent of the calls, and saving lives was rarer than that. After a while, I grew to understand that my role was less about saving lives than about bearing witness. I was a grief mop. It was enough that I simply turned up.".

Frank Pierce is a paramedic on the brink of madness from too many years of saving and losing lives. When he meets Mary Burke, the daughter of a man Frank tried to save, they both confront the ghosts of the past, and discover that redemption can be found among the living.

Nicolas Cage: Frank Pierce.

Patricia Arquette: Mary Burke.

John Goodman: Larry.

Ving Rhames: Marcus.

Tom Sizemore: Tom Wolls.

* Bringing Out the Dead is Martin Scorsese's most underrated masterpiece and a highly original if slightly bizarre motion picture. Nicolas Cage is in his most compelling role here, delivering an exceptional performance. Patricia Arquette is phenomenal, John Goodman is brilliant, Ving Rhames is incredible, and Tom Sizemore is amazing. The cast is extremely impressive. Bringing Out the Dead is simply one of the most surreal, compelling, and flat-out strange films I have ever seen. Martin Scorsese has established himself as one of cinema's greatest directors and this film is proof of his unique genius. Bringing Out the Dead is a masterwork. A passionate, beautiful, truthful, and uncompromising. This film is a real gem. Scorsese has made many superb works of genius during his career and this film is one of his finest. Nicolas Cage is truly sensational. Bringing Out the Dead is emotional, entertaining, and at times a lot of fun. The script by Paul Schrader is nothing short of genius, Scorsese's direction is flawless, and the performances are absolutely mesmerizing. Bringing Out the Dead is a unique experience, an achievement unlike any other. A spectacular drama based on the novel by Joe Connelly. Bringing Out the Dead is astonishing and a real gem. I really enjoy this film more than any other film Scorsese has ever made. This film is breathtaking and completely original. A wonderful film.*.

"Saving someone's life is like falling in love. The best drug in the world. For days, sometimes weeks afterwards, you walk the streets, making infinite whatever you see. Once, for a few weeks, I couldn't feel the earth - everything I touched became lighter. Horns played in my shoes. Flowers fell from my pockets. You wonder if you've become immortal, as if you've saved your own life as well. God has passed through you. Why deny it, that for a moment there - why deny that for a moment there, God was you?".

Review Date: March 26, 2009.