Very well executed

Very Cool!!!

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Based on a play of the same name, Richard Dreyfuss plays Ken Harrison, a very talented and vibrant sculptor who meets with tragedy one day when he's involved in a near-fatal car wreck. He ultimately learns that he will be dependent on being trapped in a hospital bed for the rest of his existence, paralyzed from the neck down and only able to move his head. Though Ken has a strong spirit and is basically good-natured, he cannot accept the fate of never being able to perform his craft again and seeks to be set free and allowed to die. His doctor (John Cassavetes), however, is a gruff but dedicated man with strong principles who feels he has a responsibility to preserve life rather than destroy it, and thus fights Ken every step of the way.I first saw this controversial John Badham film upon its initial theatrical run, and it didn't get a DVD release until 2007, which then went quickly out of print, and that's a shame. It cost me a bit much to get the now-rare DVD, but it was worth it to me because I think it's such an involving movie. Richard Dreyfuss has one of his best roles, and it's amazing that he manages such a good performance when you realize that the actor himself was going through the flu at the time of shooting, and by his own admission has stated that he now has absolutely NO RECOLLECTION of making the film, as he was also heavily addicted to drugs at the time (which nearly killed him). It's quite mind-boggling to think that a person could be starring in a movie which is primarily focused on the value of life as its subject, all the while risking his own life with drug abuse simultaneously in between shooting. I really like John Cassavetes as Dr. Emerson in this story; he's got a professional yet snide demeanor that really makes him effective as the villain of the piece. Christine Lahti shines as another doctor taking care of Ken Harrison, who at first cannot sympathize with his plight but gradually becomes receptive to his feelings. The relationship between the Lahti and Dreyfuss characters is one of the strongest assets in the film. ***1/2 out of ****

Richard Dreyfuss is typically mercurial as an artist who is involved in an auto accident and is paralyzed from the neck down; he fights for his right to die with dignity while laid up in his hospital room, causing consternation amongst the hospital staff. Adapation of Brian Clark's celebrated (if thin) stage play--whose leading character has been portrayed at different times by both male and female actors--is given a fairly tight direction by John Badham, who seems unaware that Dreyfuss' sculptor can be awfully obnoxious on occasion. Still, the material has strong moments, and the supporting performances by John Cassavetes and (most especially) Christine Lahti are top-notch. Attempts to "open up" the stagy action tend to falter, with a pot-smoking sequence that is simply extraneous, yet it's a moving and satisfying picture, if somewhat aloof. **1/2 from ****

i remember running into this film several times on TV but i've never actually watched it entirely until now. the movie is a very convincing plead for death. a man who argues with himself because nobody around him knows how to listen. very smart lines, a genuine Richard Dreyfuss, very intelligent (though sometimes dark) humor. i won't tell you more not to spoil the fun. a similar story (which now i think this movie inspired) you'll find in Alejandro amenabar's "mar adentro".since you find a lot of hollywoodian crap movies "flagged" 7.7 like "lucky number slevin" for example (which i think is a f...g aberation - who votes for these anyway? 4 votes at most not to consider the acting which is a total failure) i'd give this an 8 out of 10.it'll get you questioning about human reactions in desperate cases. i dearly recommend it to whoever hesitates seeing it and runs into this comment.

Before I start, let me say 2 things. 1. All names here are the original names, unchanged from the script that I have right here in my hand. It is Kay Sadler, not Mary Jo Sadler. In my Bye Bye Birdie cast list, it is not Rose DeLeon, but Rose Alvarez. 2. My opinions on Ken Harrison's argument shall not affect this cast list at all.KEN HARRISON-A sculptor who is crippled from the neck down in a car accident. Seeing as how he can not use his hands, he sues the hospital for the right to die.DR. MICHAEL EMERSON-A very professional doctor who has a God complex. Views himself as Ken's "father". He's quite opposed to letting Ken die, and will go to Hell and back to ensure that Ken doesn't.DR. JOAN SCOTT-Emerson's underling, she sympathizes with Ken much more than Emerson does. During the course of the movie, she begins a relationship with Ken's lawyer.HEAD NURSE ANDERSON-The nurse that oversees Kay Sadler in her training. She's developed a reputation as a cold-hearted person. PHILLIP HILL-Ken Harrison's lawyer who represents him in his bid to die. He begins a romance with Joan Scott.JOHN-Perverted orderly who will not stop flirting with Kay. The comic relief in the play, he agrees with Harrison.DR. PAUL TRAVERS-Resident psychiatrist at the hospital where Ken is staying. He examines Ken and pronounces him legally sane to stand trial.KAY SADLER-Nurse in training. She takes care of Ken's daily needs, but John won't stop flirting with her.MRS. GILLIAN BOYLE-Medical social worker that is sent in to try and cheer Ken up. She remains relatively detached from her patients and is sickeningly optimistic.DR KERSHAW-Phillip Hill's senior partner in his law firm. Examines Emerson at the hearing.DR. BARR-Psychiatrist who examines Ken Harrison and also find him legally sane.DR. EDEN-The hospital's lawyer. He also examines Harrison as well as Barr in the hearing.JUSTICE MILHOUSE-The judge called in to decide Ken's fate. He emphasizes the idea that neither side of the argument is right or wrong, and that nobody is the bad or good guy.Note to all potential performers of the play: If you find yourself having too many females or males, it has been decided that the following roles could be played by either male or female: Dr. Barr Dr. Eden Dr. Kershaw Dr. Travers Ms. Boyle (In extreme cases) Justice Milhouse (In extreme cases)