Bringing Out the Dead

Name: Bringing Out the Dead
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: October 22, 1999
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 70
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette

1999

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 138 Ratings

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4.6

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4.6	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 138 Ratings

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Bringing Out The Dead

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: October 22, 1999 | R

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette

Summary: Surrounded by the injured and the dying, EMS paramedic Frank (Cage) is dwelling in an urban night-world, crumbling under the accumulated weight of too many years of saving and losing lives. The film follows Frank over the course of fifty-six hours in his life - two days and three nights on the job - as he reaches the very brink of spiritualSurrounded by the injured and the dying, EMS paramedic Frank (Cage) is dwelling in an urban night-world, crumbling under the accumulated weight of too many years of saving and losing lives. The film follows Frank over the course of fifty-six hours in his life - two days and three nights on the job - as he reaches the very brink of spiritual collapse and redemption. (Paramount Pictures)… Expand

Director: Martin Scorsese

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 121 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Wilmington

Blazes up constantly with a stunning, off-kilter brilliance, an incandescent force that sometimes explodes the space between us and the screen.

Film.com Tom Keogh

Certainly one of his (Scorsese's) most profound works. Read full review

Emanuel Levy

Achieves a poetic, quasi-religious tone. Read full review

Wesley Morris

An ecstatic sensory experience so overloaded it hardly matters that the narrative has been placed on a back burner. Read full review

Shawn Levy

Although it tries continually to focus on the heart, it ultimately fails to ignite it.

Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf

Despite moments of gritty greatness that rival Scorsese's best, the movie is severely hampered by please-everyone syndrome, especially in the editing and choice of music. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

Falls far short of its grim potential. Read full review

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User Reviews

Barryw.

Dec 1, 2005

This movie is excellent.the acting is superb,and the story deep and full of humor,love,and spritual lessons.i loved the movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JimmyP.

Mar 18, 2007

I thought that this might be maybe one of if not Scorsese's most overlooked film. I thought it had a powerful message, gripping direction, and standout performances, from Nicolas Cage, and Ving Rhames. Lookout for Scorsese's voice on the dispatch, and also Queen Latifah's.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

asianrique

Sep 15, 2010

The people who I have suggested this film to and disliked it all had one thing in common: they were dissatisfied with a broken and hopeless environment, mental instability, and intense emotions to be the focus of movies. However, the ones that did like it agree with me that when one takesThe people who I have suggested this film to and disliked it all had one thing in common: they were dissatisfied with a broken and hopeless environment, mental instability, and intense emotions to be the focus of movies. However, the ones that did like it agree with me that when one takes what is presented on the screen and looks beneath it, the film is now rife with inner conflicts and turmoil, so many different kinds that do not need to be expressed with extroverted antics. Cage's character was intense without having to do or say too much to pass that.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

MattBrady99

Mar 9, 2018

The dark horse of Martin Scorsese films.

A fever dream of high rush that strangely reminds you how alive you really are, but at the same time, a dim of insomnia that reminds you how lifeless you can feel. New York City, the city where everybody is either dead, dying, or somewhere between.The dark horse of Martin Scorsese films.

A fever dream of high rush that strangely reminds you how alive you really are, but at the same time, a dim of insomnia that reminds you how lifeless you can feel. New York City, the city where everybody is either dead, dying, or somewhere between. You're in the middle. Robert Richardson and Scorsese captures New York streets, deserving it's title as 'the city that never sleeps'.

I know a lot of people think Nicolas Cage isn't a great actor and he picks more bad than good roles. However, Cage is really excellent in this, which pains me to see him shy away from good material and becoming a stupid joke of himself. For the small screen these two had, John Goodman and Ving Rhames were also great. Lets not forget Paul Schrader fantastic script that keeps the film fresh at all times.

Overall rating: Gives it a shot. Just me.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

doebrei

Aug 21, 2022

The acting is fun to witness,the plot is interesting, and the dream sequences are creative along with the rest of the cinematography

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

eva3si0n

Jan 26, 2022

Bringing Out the Dead does not remember when they talk about the career of Cage or Scorsese. This is not the most famous film as an actor or director and this is an omission. Firstly, this is the most realistic film I have seen about paramedics, and secondly, the chamber of action stung atBringing Out the Dead does not remember when they talk about the career of Cage or Scorsese. This is not the most famous film as an actor or director and this is an omission. Firstly, this is the most realistic film I have seen about paramedics, and secondly, the chamber of action stung at 48 o'clock makes the film more of a thriller than a drama. A great picture about one of the most psychologically difficult professions, excellent acting Cage and at least somewhere shown the reality of American medicine.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Apr 1, 2016

I did not love Bringing Out the Dead. A compelling character study, the film simply does not resolve enough about its premise to be a truly good film. The whole film builds up to something and the pay-off, if it is there, is so not worth it. It does not deserve the low audience score it hasI did not love Bringing Out the Dead. A compelling character study, the film simply does not resolve enough about its premise to be a truly good film. The whole film builds up to something and the pay-off, if it is there, is so not worth it. It does not deserve the low audience score it has on Metacritic, though I would attribute that to some weird bot based on the amount of negativity compared to the positive reviews. It is really well done and the acting across the board, especially Ving Rhames, is very good. It is well-written and all that, minus the ending. Another problem I had here was with the editing. I typically love the editing in Scorsese's work, but here, it feels quite disjointed and downright odd at times. Overall, Bringing Out the Dead is an oddly put together and somewhat incomplete work from a master director.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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59	#59 Best Movie of 1999
66	#66 Most Shared Movie of 1999