Review of The Hospital (1971) by Wayne - — 19 Sep 2011

Dr. Herbert Bock's (Scott) life is just getting worse and worse-- his wife has left him, his kids won't speak to him, and it doesn't seem like people need him in the hospital that much anymore.

These things together are making him suicidal, and he turns to the bottle. When on the brink of killing himself, he meets the confident and lovely Barbara (Rigg) who's with her sick father. The two come across each other, and Barbara sees Bock in a rage, when he then rapes her, but over the course of the night they begin to understand each other, which leads to romance.

But just as Herbert's life is starting to get better, a riot is going on outside the hospital, and at the same time mysterious deaths are happening. "The Hospital" is a fantastic black romantic dramedy that's well-made and full of talent.

The film, probably best known for its award winning screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky, is witty but dark, and isn't funny enough to be a comedy and isn't dramatic like a drama, it just settles in between.

Moments of comedy form from Rigg's wisecracks and the murderer's insight on killing, but it's not a movie that will cheer you up like many of the laugh-fests of the '70's. Instead you get George C.

Scott giving an excellent performance that really makes the movie depressing, but it adds a lot of depth to what could just be a forgettable movie. But it's not the only attribute to make this film unique-- it's Paddy Chayefsky's script that gives all of the strength to "The Hospital".

It never goes above the humor or drama lines, but in the meantime it doesn't ever not match the story-- it always works well, and gives the talented actors a chance to say some great things. "The Hospital" is a great film that shouldn't be so forgotten today.