Bringing Out the Dead Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Nicolas Cage hallucinates while driving an ambulance and falls in love with Patricia Arquette, who is somehow connected to all this chaos.

🍿 Bringing Out the Dead: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Frank Pierce

Frank Pierce, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, is an ambulance paramedic working the graveyard shift in a particularly rough part of New York City. He’s deeply burnt out and haunted by the faces of those he couldn’t save, particularly a young girl named Rose. These visions plague him constantly, making it difficult to function.

Three Nights of Turmoil

The film follows Frank over three consecutive nights, each with a different partner. Larry (John Goodman) is pragmatic and focused on the next meal. Marcus (Ving Rhames) is deeply religious, finding solace in faith. Tom Wolls (Tom Sizemore) is volatile and prone to violence, taking out his frustrations on patients and the ambulance itself. Through these partnerships, Frank experiences a descent into the chaotic underworld of the city.

Connection with Mary

Frank encounters Mary Burke (Patricia Arquette), the daughter of a man he attempts to save. Mary, an ex-junkie, struggles with her own demons and initially wished for her father’s death due to their strained relationship. Frank feels a connection with Mary and sees an opportunity for redemption by helping her. Their relationship provides a brief respite from the overwhelming darkness of his job.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Frank Pierce (Nicolas Cage): A monumentally burned-out paramedic haunted by the patients he couldn’t save, struggling to maintain his sanity.
• Mary Burke (Patricia Arquette): An ex-junkie who connects with Frank while dealing with her father’s heart attack and her own past.
• Larry (John Goodman): Frank’s pragmatic and somewhat detached partner, who seems able to block out the emotional toll of the job.
• Marcus (Ving Rhames): Frank’s religious partner who relies on his faith to cope with the constant death and suffering.
• Tom Wolls (Tom Sizemore): Frank’s psychotic and violent partner who terrorizes patients and lashes out at the world around him.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Frank Pierce: “Saving someone’s life is like falling in love. The best drug in the world.” – Frank describes the intense rush and feeling of invincibility that comes with saving a life.
• Frank Pierce: “God has passed through you. Why deny it, that for a moment there – why deny that for a moment there, God was you?” – Frank’s contemplation on the feeling of playing God while saving a life, questioning the experience.
• Marcus: “We’re all just ambulances, Frank. Just carrying people to different hospitals.” – Marcus offers a philosophical view of their purpose, suggesting they are merely conduits in people’s journeys.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $55,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $16,797,191
• Worldwide Gross: $16,798,496

💥 Bringing Out the Dead Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this late one night and being completely mesmerized. The way Scorsese captured the grittiness and the craziness of the city felt so real. Cage’s performance really stuck with me; you could feel his exhaustion and his desperation. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a powerful one. I’ll never forget the scene where he’s dangling that guy from the balcony with the fireworks going off. The movie really has something special.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Martin Scorsese films”
  • “Viewers interested in dark character studies”
  • “Those who appreciate gritty and realistic portrayals of urban life”
  • “Fans of Nicolas Cage’s more intense performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic depictions of medical emergencies”
  • “Drug use and violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing and unsettling imagery”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Scorsese’s ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ is a visually arresting and emotionally raw film, capturing the frenetic energy of New York’s night shift and the psychological toll on its first responders. Cage delivers a compelling performance as a paramedic on the edge.
• Variety: “While visually stunning and featuring strong performances, ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ suffers from a meandering plot and a lack of clear direction. It’s a fascinating but ultimately frustrating experience that will polarize audiences.
• RogerEbert.com: “‘Bringing Out the Dead’ is a complex and deeply felt film about guilt, redemption, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Scorsese’s masterful direction and Cage’s powerful performance create a haunting and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Audience Reactions

The intense and surreal depiction of New York City at night.: Viewers loved the film’s gritty realism and the performances of the actors.

Nicolas Cage’s raw and emotional portrayal of a burned-out paramedic.: The film successfully communicates the psychological toll of the job.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and emotionally powerful film, but can be inaccessible due to its meandering plot and dark themes. Critics are divided, but viewers who appreciate Scorsese’s style and Cage’s performance will find it rewarding.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Martin Scorsese has stated that this is his most autobiographical film, reflecting his own struggles with insomnia and spiritual questioning.”
• “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Joe Connelly, who was a paramedic in New York City for several years.”
• “To prepare for their roles, Nicolas Cage and the other actors spent time observing real paramedics and riding along in ambulances.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bringing Out the Dead?

As of October 2024, “Bringing Out the Dead” is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for availability in your region, as offerings may vary. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also available through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bringing Out the Dead, you might like these similar films:

• Taxi Driver (1976): Shares a similar dark, gritty portrayal of New York City at night, and the descent of a troubled protagonist into urban alienation.
• Ambulance (2022): A modern high-octane thriller with an ambulance at the center of a chaotic and desperate situation.
• After Hours (1985): Another Scorsese film capturing a nightmarish and surreal journey through the streets of New York City.
• Light Sleeper (1992): Another Paul Schrader-written film featuring themes of guilt, redemption, and a protagonist working a morally ambiguous job in the city.

🛒 Bringing Out the Dead Related Products

• Bringing Out the Dead (Blu-ray): Experience the film in stunning high definition with special features, including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Martin Scorsese: A Journey Through American Film: Explore Scorsese’s complete filmography with critical analysis and interviews. Discover the themes and techniques that define his unique cinematic style.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Nicolas Cage – Bringing Out the Dead: A stylized collectible figure of Nicolas Cage as Frank Pierce from ‘Bringing Out the Dead.’ A unique and eye-catching addition to any Funko Pop! collection.
• EMT/Paramedic T-Shirt – Bringing Out the Dead Inspired: High-quality t-shirt with a design inspired by ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ and the life of EMTs. Comfortable and stylish for everyday wear.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bringing Out the Dead features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “T.B. Sheets” – performed by Van Morrison
• “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – performed by R.E.M.
• “Janie Jones” – performed by The Clash
• “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory” – performed by Johnny Thunders

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Top Martin Scorsese Films!

Ever wonder where ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ stacks up against Scorsese’s other masterpieces? This video gives you a ranked list and it’s kinda interesting to see where it lands. Honestly, I’m not sure I agree with their placement, but it’s definitely worth a watch to see if you do!

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