George
(Tom Cavanagh) is a well-to-do businessman who seemingly has it all. A nice house, a steady job, and a family
that loves him. On the day after his
fortieth birthday, he goes to the hospital for a routine colonoscopy. Much to his horror, there are several
complications, not to mention more unnecessary (and/or botched) surgeries. While trapped in his hospital bed, George begs
his sexy day nurse (Kat Coiro) and the stern male nurse (named “Mandingo”,
played by Welcome Back Kotter’s Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs) for answers, but they
seem unwilling (or unable) to help.
Done right, this might have worked as a parable for middle-aged men’s fears
about growing old and their reluctance to have age-appropriate medical exams. The problem is that at nearly two hours, it’s
way too long and drawn out to really work. Rod Serling would’ve wrapped this thin premise
up in a half hour on The Twilight Zone. That’s not to say there aren’t one or two
effective moments here. (The big reveal
of an unnecessary surgery would’ve made for a decent short film in its own
right.) However, there are just way too
many supporting characters and flashbacks to a birthday party that get in the
way.
Director Tony (Otis) Krantz tries to go for a Jacob’s Ladder type of mindfuck,
but he lacks the panache or the unsettling imagery to properly pull it off. It’s not a total loss because he does spring
an occasional interesting wrinkle here and there that helps to occasionally
inspire hope. (The opening moments
nicely capture the gallows humor patients resort to in an effort to hide their
nervousness and uncertainty about going in for a delicate operation.) The ending is kind of predictable, although if
handled just so it might’ve been worthwhile.
As it turns out, the big reveal just kind of happens, which leaves
something to be desired.
No comments:
Post a Comment