Review of Flatliners (1990) by Elizabeth B — 11 Jan 2008

The subplots concerning what the characters find during their loss of pretty much everything that makes them alive, and how it comes back to intrude on their present time. This is an ensemble piece, and the cast does an excellent job of breathing life into their individual characters.

Your immediate impression is that the characters are each representative of a well-established `stereotype': The female ice queen, the slightly neurotic 'physician', the playboy and the socially conscious `nice guy' etc.

However, as the film progresses and the characters are further fleshed out, they take on multiple dimensions and depth. Most interesting of all is Sutherland's character of Nelson. Nelson is not a character that is easy to like, a master manipulator who definitely places self-interest above all else.

Yet, Sutherland plays him with a hint of insecurity that lends him a certain appeal. As events unfold, you come to realize that much of Nelson's unpleasant personality is a smokescreen, a protective mask behind which hides a very uncertain and vulnerable young man burdened by a terrible secret.

Besides the all-star cast, this movie had some serious bite to it. Just the very thought of exploring death is riveting enough. Joel Schumacher directs this quite stylish thriller and with a very fine cast of young and talented actors - Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, Oliver Platt and William Baldwin; we have a pretty fresh well made thriller, that is certainly worthy of your attention.