Flatliners (1990)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writer (WGA):

Peter Filardi (written by)

Release Date:

10 August 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Some lines shouldn't be crossed.

Plot:

Medical students bring themselves near death; their experiment begins to go awry.

Plot Keywords:

Death | Medical | Medical Student | Afterlife | Nightmare

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Kiefer Sutherland	...	Nelson
Julia Roberts	...	Dr. Rachel Mannus
Kevin Bacon	...	David Labraccio
William Baldwin	...	Dr. Joe Hurley
Oliver Platt	...	Randy Steckle
Kimberly Scott	...	Winnie Hicks
Joshua Rudoy	...	Billy Mahoney
Benjamin Mouton	...	Rachel's Father
Aeryk Egan	...	Young Nelson
Kesha Reed	...	Young Winnie
Hope Davis	...	Anne Coldren
Jim Ortlieb	...	Uncle Dave
John Duda	...	Young David (as John Joseph Duda)
Megan Stewart	...	Playground Kid
Tressa Thomas	...	Playground Kid
Gonzo Gonzalez	...	Playground Kid
Afram Bill Williams	...	Ben Hicks
Deborah Thompson Duda	...	Terry (as Deborah Thompson)
Elinore O'Connell	...	Rachel's Mother
Marilyn Dodds Frank	...	Bag Lady
Sanna Vraa	...	Bridget
Nicole Niblack	...	Joe's Woman
Cynthia Bassham	...	Joe's Woman
Sarabeth Tucek	...	Joe's Woman
Ilona Margolis	...	Joe's Woman
Julie Warner	...	Joe's Woman
Iilana B'tiste	...	Joe's Woman
Deborah Torchio	...	Joe's Woman
Deborah Goomas	...	Joe's Woman
Michelle McKee	...	Joe's Woman
Nancy Moran	...	Joe's Woman
Dede Latinopoulos	...	Joe's Woman
Patricia Belcher	...	Edna, Ward Nurse
Susan French	...	Terminal Woman
Beth Grant	...	Housewife
Cage S. Johnson	...	Near Death Patient
Jared Milmeister	...	Young Nelson's Friend
Patrick Gleeson	...	Young Nelson's Friend
John Benjamin Martin	...	Man on Crack
Lyne Odums	...	Nurse
John Fink	...	Doctor
Angela Paton	...	Doctor
Evelina Fernández	...	Latin Woman (as Evelina Fernandez)
Miguel Delgado	...	Latin Husband
Ingrid Oliu	...	Latin Wife
Raymond Hanis	...	Latin Orderly
Zoaunne LeRoy	...	Waitress
Tom Kurlander	...	Medical Student
Nili Levi	...	Little Girl
Anne James	...	Beth
K.K. Dodds	...	Jill
Natsuko Ohama	...	Professor
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Shauna O'Brien	...	One of Joe's Women (uncredited)
Amy Rochelle	...	(uncredited)

Directed by
Joel Schumacher

Writing credits (WGA)
Peter Filardi		(written by)

Produced by
Rick Bieber	....	producer
Michael Douglas	....	producer
Peter Filardi	....	executive producer
Michael I. Rachmil	....	executive producer (as Michael Rachmil)
Scott Rudin	....	executive producer

Original Music by
James Newton Howard

Cinematography by
Jan de Bont		(director of photography) (as Jan De Bont)

Film Editing by
Robert Brown

Casting by
Mali Finn

Production Design by
Eugenio Zanetti

Art Direction by
Jim Dultz

Set Decoration by
Anne Kuljian		(as Anne L. Kuljian)

Costume Design by
Susan Becker

Makeup Department
Ve Neill	....	makeup artist
Yolanda Toussieng	....	hair stylist
Michael Burnett	....	special makeup effects artist: dissection cadaver (uncredited)
Greg Cannom	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)
Vance Hartwell	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)
Dominic Mango	....	hair stylist (uncredited)
Larry Odien	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)
Colin Penman	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Stephen McEveety	....	unit production manager (as Steve McEveety)
Chantal Feghali	....	post-production supervisor (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John T. Kretchmer	....	first assistant director (as John Kretchmer)
Judith Moore	....	dga trainee (as Judith A. Moore)
Jeff Rafner	....	first assistant director
Gary Schilz	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Greg John Callas	....	construction coordinator (as Greg Callas)
Michael R. Gannon	....	assistant property master
Richard Hoffenberg	....	construction foreman
Stephen Homsy	....	set designer
William A. Petrotta	....	property master
Paul Sonski	....	set designer
Laurence Byrne	....	art department assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Petra Bach	....	adr editor
Anna Behlmer	....	sound recordist
Gary C. Bourgeois	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Gary Bourgeois)
Charles L. Campbell	....	supervising sound editor
Paul Timothy Carden	....	sound editor
Chris Carpenter	....	sound re-recording mixer
Louis L. Edemann	....	sound editor
Richard C. Franklin	....	supervising sound editor (as Richard Franklin)
Rick Hart	....	sound re-recording mixer
Nils C. Jensen	....	sound editor (as Nils Jensen)
Angie Luckey	....	assistant sound editor
David MacMillan	....	production sound mixer (as David Macmillan)
Gary Mundheim	....	sound editor
Richard Oswald	....	sound editor
Fred Stafford	....	adr editor (as Frederick Stafford)
Derek Casari	....	dubbing engineer (uncredited)
John Roesch	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Carolyn Tapp	....	foley recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Sam Barkin	....	special effects: Chicago
Phil Cory	....	special effects (as Philip Cory)
Hans Metz	....	special effects
Timothy W. Tiedje	....	special effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Peter Donen	....	visual effects supervisor
Jim Danforth	....	matte artist (uncredited)
Peter Juneau	....	visual effects projection (uncredited)
Mike Leben	....	motion control operator (uncredited)

Stunts
Bill Erickson	....	stunt coordinator
Rick Le Fevour	....	stunt double (as Rick LeFevour)
Larry Nicholas	....	stunt double
Bobby Porter	....	stunt double

Camera and Electrical Department
Steve Adcock	....	second assistant camera
Edward A. Ayer	....	chief lighting technician
Nathaniel James Dunn	....	best boy grip (as Nathaniel 'Jim' Dunn)
Gene Kearney	....	key grip
Ted J. Kredo	....	best boy electric
Christine M. Loss	....	still photographer (as Christine Loss)
Calmar Roberts	....	first assistant camera (as Calmar K. Roberts Jr.)
Michael Scott	....	camera operator
Thomas Enright	....	electrician (uncredited)
Adam Glick	....	set lighting technician (uncredited)
Gregory Lundsgaard	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Stan McClain	....	camera operator: Wescam camera (uncredited)
Michael Shanman	....	lighting board operator (uncredited)
Lou Weinert	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Barbara Harris	....	voice casting
Megan McConnell	....	casting assistant
Catherine Holzer-Ballowe	....	extras casting (uncredited)
Mark A. Ridge	....	extras casting (uncredited)
Franklyn Warren	....	extras casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kirsten Everberg	....	assistant to costume designer
Rosemarie Fall	....	costume supervisor: women
Nick Scarano	....	costume supervisor: men
Steve Shubin	....	costume supervisor: men
Barbara Marko Friedman	....	costumer (uncredited)
Marlene Hajdu	....	set costumer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Dean Beville	....	apprentice editor
David E. Blewitt	....	additional editor (as Dave Blewitt)
Gary Burritt	....	negative cutter
Phil Hetos	....	color timer
Jim Prior	....	additional editor
Pattye Rogers	....	assistant editor
James Seidelman	....	assistant editor
Rick Sparr	....	assistant editor
Fred C. Vitale	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Chris Boardman	....	additional orchestrator
Brad Dechter	....	additional orchestrator (as Brad Decter)
Shawn Murphy	....	scoring mixer
Marty Paich	....	conductor
Dick Rudolph	....	music supervisor
Paul Salamunovich	....	conductor: St. Charles Borromeo Choir
Jon Wattenbarger	....	conductor: boys choir
Jim Weidman	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Martin T. Hill	....	transportation captain
William F. Hogan	....	transportation co-captain: Chicago (as Billy Hogan Jr.)
Armand Paoletti	....	transportation coordinator: Chicago
James C. Taylor	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Pamela Alch	....	script supervisor
Jacolyn Baker	....	location manager: Chicago
Steph Benseman	....	location manager (as Stephan Benseman)
Rocky Buzzini	....	production assistant (as Rocky A. Buzzini)
Peter DePalma	....	assistant: Mr. Douglas (as Peter De Palma)
Guy Ferland	....	assistant: Mr. Schumacher
Lynette Graves	....	production assistant
Erica Heider	....	assistant: Mr. Rachmil
Patricia Jeffers	....	production assistant
Tammy Karabas	....	assistant production coordinator: Chicago
Shari Leibowitz	....	production coordinator
Boone Narr	....	animal trainer
Ramon Pahoyo	....	craft service (as Ramon B. Pahoya)
Tim Pedegana	....	assistant production coordinator
Barbara Shane	....	assistant: Mr. Bieber
Susan Trembly	....	publicist
Robin Vail	....	assistant: Mr. Rachmil
Gaston Vidou	....	production assistant
Julie Yarrish	....	assistant: Mr. Schumacher
Ray Zimmerman	....	production accountant (as Raymond G. Zimmerman)
Ursula Brauner	....	animal trainer (uncredited)
Bob Corff	....	voice teacher (uncredited)
Steve Kraus	....	dailies projectionist (uncredited)
Heather Pollock	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Robert 'Bobby Z' Zajonc	....	helicopter pilot (uncredited)
Marsha Zvonkin	....	assistant accountant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures Corporation (presents) (as Columbia Pictures)
• Stonebridge Entertainment (producer)

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1990) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1993) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Columbia TriStar Films (1991) (France) (theatrical)
• Interama (1991) (Czechoslovakia) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Film (Germany)
• Encore Avenue (2009) (Canada) (TV)
• LK-TEL (Argentina) (video)
• Prooptiki (Greece)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-Ray Disc)
• Videosonic Arts (Greece) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Cinema Research  titles and opticals
• DeLuxe Laboratories  color (as Deluxe)
• Holzer Roche Casting  extras casting: Chicago
• Panavision  filmed in
• TAJ Soundworks  foley
• Technicolor  prints
• Todd-AO/Glen Glenn Studios  sound re-recording

Runtime:

115 min | Finland:110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | CDS (digital 35 mm prints) | Dolby (analog 35 mm prints)

Certification:

West Germany:16 | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Manitoba) (TV rating) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Brazil:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #30218)

Filming Locations:

Bensenville, Illinois, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

When David Labraccio (Kevin Bacon) goes to visit Winnie Hicks ('Kimberly Scott') to "atone" for taunting her, he mentions that they both went to "S.B. Butler" school as kids to remind her who he was. Writer Peter Filardi included this as a nod to his hometown in southeastern Connecticut, where there is a real "S.B. Butler" elementary school, near downtown Mystic, CT.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Keifer Suthlerland is first put under he talks about his EEG flatlining. This indicates the brain has ceased to function. Brain function can not be restored once it has stopped and you are legally dead.

Quotes:

Randy Steckle: I did not come to medical school to murder my class mates no matter how deranged they might be.

Movie Connections:

References Don't Look Now (1973)

Soundtrack:

PARTY TOWN

Everything we do matters....

I've been intending to write a review of this film for some time, but only now have I actually managed to get my thoughts down for the perusal of others.

I never had the pleasure of seeing this film on the `big screen' which is a shame, as it is often visually stunning, but I have revisited it on video numerous times over the years, enjoying it immensely every time. It definitely is on my personal list of favorite movies, and for more than just starring Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon, two of my `actors to watch.'

Perhaps I appreciate this film so much because it appeals to my slightly off-kilter taste in entertainment. I like my movies a bit left of center - unpredictable and fresh. And whether or not you `believe' the story line of the film, you have to admit, it is different!

Everyone has different tastes and opinions, but my impression of some of the negative reviews of this movie is that the viewers never really saw past the surface level of this film. They got caught up in technicalities, `Why would there be green lighting in a subway?' or `Why would medical students pull such a stupid stunt?' and failed to see the artistry and psychological depth of the piece.

Yes, there are some medical and technical aspects that do not make logical sense, but if you are willing to suspend disbelief just a tad, this can be a very engaging film.

First, a note about the artistic quality of the movie. Some have complained about the murky lighting, and the illogical nature of the sets - but for me, the use of innovating lighting techniques, the plastic and sheet draped sets, the unusual settings in old buildings and dank, dripping tunnels, the use of statuary, rain and billowing curtains - all add a poetic flavor to this film, a haunting beauty that suits the dark nature of the questions being asked about life, death and forgiveness.

I will focus on just two examples; in an alley scene, a change in lighting allows for certain elements of the set to come dramatically into focus, then to fade away once lighting returns to normal. It is an innovative means of conveying a shift in the `reality' of the moment, and works beautifully. We are also allowed to see the interior of the character's apartments - contrast the warm wood, bright colors, golden lighting and cluttered comfort of Labraccio's rooms with the stark, white void of Nelson's. Both are reflective of the characters themselves. Nelson's lack of `objects' reflect our lack of knowledge about his past. and his carefully constructed mask that keeps his companions at a distance. His past, we come to learn, is one of chaos and conflict. He has determined to leave that behind in favor of an uncluttered emptiness. unfortunately, the emptiness is also reflective of his relationships with others, a realization he comes to along his personal journey of self-discovery in this film.

Flatliners is not your typical horror film. Nor is a typical drama or suspense movie.it is rather more of an amalgamation of all, having the best elements of all genres intertwined in a complex, suspenseful plot.

This is an ensemble piece, and the cast does an excellent job of breathing life into their individual characters. Your immediate impression is that the characters are each representative of a well-established `stereotype': The female ice queen, the slightly neurotic 'physician', the playboy and the socially conscious `nice guy' etc. However, as the film progresses and the characters are further fleshed out, they take on multiple dimensions and depth.

Most interesting of all is Sutherland's character of Nelson. Nelson is not a character that is easy to like - indeed he is a bit of a b**tard, a master manipulator who definitely places self-interest above all else. Yet, Sutherland plays him with a hint of insecurity that lends him a certain appeal. As events unfold, you come to realize that much of Nelson's unpleasant personality is a smokescreen, a protective mask behind which hides a very uncertain and vulnerable young man burdened by a terrible secret.

By revealing bits and pieces of Nelson's complex personality throughout the film, the writers, directors and cast gradually lead you towards a greater understanding of and sympathy for him. The character who started out as a `jerk' becomes important and valued in his own right - as you learn to `forgive' his previous behavior in light of new information. Your journey of discovery with Nelson reflects the characters own journeys towards self-understanding, as they too come to realize that everyone has value, and `everything we do matters.'

Which leads to my final comment. Although many of the posters here have picked up upon the theme of defying death.. few seem to have touched upon what I see as the main premise of the movie - the importance of forgiveness, and the need to be cognizant of all you do, because it does `matter.'