This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Simply A Masterpiece

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

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.

Unpleasant at times but Undeniably Profound Christian Allegory by way of the "Hell" that is the Night Shift for Paramedics and the ER in one of the Poorer Sections of New York City.This is one of Director Martin Scorsese's Least Known, Underrated, Overlooked, and Brilliant Box Office Failures, along with "Kundun "(1997), "After Hours"(1985), and "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1998). Featuring a Nic Cage Performance that may be His Best, and Co-Starring Patricia Arquette, Tom Sizemore, John Goodman, and Marc Anthony, the Movie is Relentlessly Hyperbolic, Hypnotic, Depressing, Uplifting, Darkly Comedic, and as Profoundly Off-Beat as any Mainstream Movie.A Deep and Sharply Rendered Script from Paul Schrader, in what seems like His Element, from a Novel by Real Paramedic Joe Connolly, the Film is Expressionistic with Hazy Vibrating Colors and an Equally Vibrating Underscore. The Christ Analogies Abound and if Anyone Doubts that is the Main Theme, just look at the Poster where the Red-Cross Doubles as Christ's Cross in a Background of Blood Red. The Two are Inseparably Inspired.This isn't Gangster Scorsese or Scorsese at Play, this is the Director at His Sunday Best.

Bringing Out The Dead is almost a flawless film. The film takes place in New York City in the early 90's; and follows the life of Paramedic Frank Pierce( Nicholas Cage). He is frustrated, and burnt out due to the stress of his job. He hasn't saved any patients lately, and it's taken a toll. One of his partners Larry( John Goodman), is an enthusiastic paramedic who loves his job. The others are Marcus( Ving Rhames) and Tom Wolls( Tom Sizemore). Marcus is the smooth one who is always trying to woo dispatcher Love( Queen Latifah). Tom Wolls is the psycho nobody wants to work with. All Tom wants is to scare the patients; and get back at Noel( Marc Anthony). This film spans several days in Franks life as a 3RD shift paramedic in Hell's Kitchen. The story begins when Frank and Larry respond to a cardiac. There he meets Mary Burke( Patricia Arquette), the daughter of the victim. They work on him finally reviving him; and transport him to the craziest hospital. Our Lady of Mercy, is a overrun hospital with a doctor that is stressed and somewhat crazy Dr. Hazmat( Nestor Serrano). Once there a friendship begins to form with Mary Burke, an ex-junkie who opens up to Frank. Ignoring the advice from Marcus not to get involved with patients or their relatives. While waiting word about her father Mary opens up Frank. She tells him her past, the relationship with her father; and her frustrations. As the friendship grows he becomes more like a brother than anything. He always looks out for her, especially when she arrives at Cy's( Cliff Curtis) place. A crash pad for those who are overworked/ stressed out. Cy is the kind of guy who is a charmer, and a small time drug dealer.While his relationship grows with Mary. Frank is still haunted by his past. He still sees the ghosts of those he failed to save. He struggles to keep his composure, and with a new street drug out he finds it hard to keep it together. All Frank wants is to make amends with those he tried to save, look out for Mary; and return to being a top paramedic. This is one great movie with a top cast, with voice cameos by Queen Latifah and Martian Scorsese.I am glad a movie about paramedics came out; yes some of the scenes were exaggerated. The Noel and Tom scene was a WTF moment; but hey Frank saves the day. As a former Fire Explorer; and one who wanted to be an E.M.T..; being a paramedic is great when things go right. When you get overworked or things go wrong it is very stressful. I couldn't imagine having the job in a big city, especially New York. The stress level has to be ten times as bad. If anyone tells you that a career in Law Enforcement, Fire or Rescue isn't stressful they are full of S**T. I can only think of one job that can top the stress level, that of an Air Traffic Controller. In conclusion, this movie is another great Scorsese Masterpiece.

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!!!