Fresh
...it emerges as a magically entertaining blend of heart, soul, mind, wit, farce and, finally, an idyllic idealism.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Critical Care
At Memorial Hospital no one ever dies... Until their insurance runs out.
1997 · 1h 47m · R
Comedy, Drama
Directed by
Sidney Lumet
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Critical Care
Overview
Werner Ernst is a young hospital resident who becomes embroiled in a legal battle between two half-sisters who are fighting over the care of their comatose father. But are they really fighting over their father's care, or over his $10 million estate? Meanwhile, Werner must contend with his nutty supervisor, who insists that he only care for patients with full insurance. Can Werner sidestep the hospital's legal team and do what's best for the patient?
Director and cast
- Sidney Lumet Director
- James Spader as Dr. Werner Ernst
- Kyra Sedgwick as Felicia Potter
- Helen Mirren as Stella
- Albert Brooks as Dr. Butz
- Anne Bancroft as Nun
- Wallace Shawn as Furnaceman
- Jeffrey Wright as Rafael ("Bed Two")
- Margo Martindale as Constance 'Connie' Potter
- Philip Bosco as Dr. Hofstader
- Edward Herrmann Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
59%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Lumet moves with confidence between satire and intriguing, heightened-reality spirituality.
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle
Fresh
...a drily funny satire about America's health care woes...
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Fresh
...the performances are juicy and intelligent.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
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