Review of The Hospital (1971) by Harim K — 05 Apr 2011
Chayefsky prognosticated American television with frightening perspicacity in Network and now he somehow augurs the labyrinthine American medical system with this movie that lamentably tries to pack in a character study of an aimless, ennui-riddled doctor who is contemplating suicide with a scathing satire of the just as driftless American medical system.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. It also tries to be a murder mystery. Too many plates are spinning at once and the movie suffers from pacing issues, and a failure to balance these three elements in a 100 minute movie.
There are some gems in the screenplay but finding them is akin to finding real gems. It takes real effort. It had promise in the beginning and it ends well, but getting there is a royal mess. The Hospital boasts typically intense and fine acting from George C.
Scott but Diana Rigg was dreadfully miscast here. Once her character shows up, the story turns to shit and grinds to a halt. The Hospital seems to be a first draft of a script that was then filmed...and then won an Oscar.
Huh.
This review of The Hospital (1971) was written by Harim K on 05 Apr 2011.
The Hospital has generally received positive reviews.
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