ThiefHott Too much of everything

AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Portia Hilton Blistering performances.

bowmanblue Sometimes you can watch a film and see that all the pieces are there and yet there's still something not quite right about it. 'Bringing Out the Dead' stars Nicholas Cage (while he was still highly-bankable at the Box Office) as a New York ambulance driver who's on the brink of burning out completely. He's seemingly lost the ability to sleep (properly) and turned to various substances to get himself through his - increasingly dangerous - nightshifts.Now, back in 1999 when this film was released, Cage was pretty much at the top of his game and you could guarantee that he'd put in a good performance, especially under an equally great director. Here we have none other than Martin Scorsese at the helm who is more than capable at keeping hold of Cage's reigns and making sure he doesn't do that 'over the topness' he sometimes slips into. The premise is great and there's plenty of scope for the story and characters to evolve. The films sports an equally impressive supporting cast including Patricia Arquette, Ving Rhames and John Goodman. So, baring all that in mind, it's hard to see that anything could go wrong with it.I certainly don't hate 'Bringing Out the Dead.' I just feel that with that much talent at its disposal it should be a lot better than it is. The actors and direction are amazing, but where it falls down is a general lack of focus as to where the story is going and what genre the film wants to be. It flips from everything from romantic comedy to gritty drama almost every other scene and even flirts with the possibility of a supernatural element (loosely). There's not an awful lot of motivation for the supporting cast and they just seem to do things to provide Cage with something bad/dramatic to react to. The films plays out like a string of sketches/mini episodes that are loosely strung together by the flimsy of narratives.If you're a fan of Cage and/or Scorsese, this is a 'must watch.' However, some may get a little tired with waiting for something to happen.

FlickFlip This is a film based off atmosphere. You legitimately feel Frank's stress and how tiring being a NY medic can be. The film slowly tires you in a way not different from having the job. The comedy from the film comes from the other medics played by John Goodman, Ving Rhames, and Tom Sizemore and their interactions with Cage. A few other comedic scenes include I.B. Banging, worst suicide attempt ever, and "Hold this or I won't kill you!". It really feels more like a David Fincher film than Martin Scorsese. Perhaps it's just the look, but I am serious. Some scenes do well portray the hardship of death to a medic. There is some supernatural element which is strangely enticing. Check it out.

ikiru71-220-566499 For a Scorsese film "Bringing Out the Dead" seemed to get a bit of a lukewarm reception, but I really liked it and think it is one of his best films. It may not be the caliber of "Goodfellas" and "Raging Bull" but it is still a powerful and moving film. In the movie we follow paramedic Frank (Nicolas Cage) over three nights as he begins to unravel from stress and starts seeing ghosts and visions of people he has not been able to save. The film is a dark and intense character study with Cage turning in one of his best performances. Scorsese continues to show why he is one of the greatest directors by establishing an evocative tone and creating unforgettable scenes. This may not be a frenetic as some of his other films, but it is still a visual treat in every way. This is not a happy film but, thanks to a brilliant screenplay by Paul Schrader, it is a profound and moving meditation on death and how it affects us. "Bringing Out the Dead" is a truly great film full of sorrow, morbid humor, and intensity and deserves to be considered among Scorsese's best.

Desertman84 Bringing Out the Dead is a film directed by Martin Scorsese.It stars Nicolas Cage, Ving Rhames, John Goodman, Tom Sizemore and Patricia Arquette.It tells a story of Frank Pierce,a paramedic on the brink of physical and emotional collapse.The screenplay was written by Paul Schrader and it was based from the novel of Joe Connelly.It is about 48 hours in the life of a burnt-out paramedic: Frank Pierce is a Manhattan medic,working the graveyard shift in a two-man ambulance team. He's burned out,exhausted, and seeing ghosts, especially a young woman he failed to save six months before. He is no longer able to save people as he simply brings out the dead. We follow him for three nights, each with a different partner: Larry, who thinks about dinner; Marcus, who looks to Jesus; and Tom, who wallops people out of frustration. Frank befriends Mary,the daughter of a heart victim he brings in. She is an ex-junkie, angry at her father but now hoping he'll live.Once called Father Frank for his efforts to rescue lives,he sees the ghosts of those he failed to save around every turn. He has tried everything he can to get fired-calling in sick, coming in late, delaying taking calls where he might have to face one more victim he can't help- yet he cannot quit the job.This is another Scorsese film achievement as he brings to the screen the life lived by people in the health care profession particularly the paramedics.It was definitely a dark and compelling film. Cage brings to life excellently a paramedic who has somewhat lost hope in his profession to save people from dying.Aside from Cage,the rest of the cast and the film makers are also commendable to bring to life this realistic and brilliant film.I myself could relate to the emotions of Frank and the disturbing experience watching it being a in the health care profession myself.In summary,Cage,Scorsese and Bringing Out The Dead delivers!!!