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It was a birthday gift for my brother. He watches that movie about 10 times so far

compare with SAVED BY THE LIGHT

Compare this movie with SAVED BY THE LIGHT: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DANNION BRINKLEY starring (co-incidently) Eric Roberts. Both handle the subject of experiencing (first hand), after death, the pain you have caused others. I cannot decide which one is better, perhaps the latter.

A lot of smoke -- literally and figuratively.

I think the idea for the movie was really good. Schumacher got carried away with the lighting and the smoke, although the cinematography is great. It made me think of "Requiem For a Dream" is the sense of style over substance, although this movie had more substance. It's hard to tell if the script was weak and Schumacher jazzed it up to what he thought would be thrilling, or the script was good and Schumacher messed with it and made it hard to believe. But I'm guessing they didn't click. Because it starts off plausible and then makes a left turn into another dimension, which is I guess what some movies do, but by the time it got to that other dimension, I had lost interest and started to think things were funny when they weren't supposed to be.The locations looked really good. The religious undertones were kind of silly, and didn't quite connect. Ah, it's an ok movie. Didn't feel much come the end, cinemetography buffs should peruse. I dug that shot that went underneath the swingset. Kevin Bacon's hair is awesome. (you couldn't get away with that anymore)

VERY GOOD! Chilling!

My Favorite Movie Quote is from this flick:
"It's like being paronoid without the fear"
This is how one of the charactors describes the after-life.
I LOVE THAT!!!!
This is Julia at her Best...she's a predictable actress now. In this flick she was still a little fresh.

"Hello, I'm nice, he's nice, we're both f**king lunatics. Can I come in, please?"

Im usually wary of movies hovering around the 6/10 mark on IMDb. Id like to think people know what they are talking about and know what they like. I guess the trick with reviewing is to take an approach of "Hey, if i liked types of movies like these- would i give it a higher score than i am about to give it now since I don't like these types of movies" Then again people judge differently , basing more value on acting, or perhaps story or directing. Anyway, landing the plane here- i had rented this movie out before and hadn't had time to watch it, this morning i did.Wow! See this movie. I am personally interested in the paranormal/have read a bit about near death experiences, so automatically i was hooked. I am unsure about some of the comments here saying that a quality cast here was wasted - i disagree- the acting here was superb from all- i think this is the only time i didn't mind Julia Roberts, it was good to see 24's Kiefer Sutherland (Currently at the time of this review, serving a jail sentence for DUI), and Kevin Bacon sporting an interesting hair style.Overall- i liked the direction, the atmosphere, the acting, and the story line most of all- particularly the idea of karma, and , to quote Nelson Wright "Everything we does matters" So true.10/10!

Don't Blame the Writer

I actually got to read the original screenplay of THE FLATLINERS just after the deal was made to make the movie. I read it and was blown away. It was awesome.
(I keep checking the screenplay websites to see if the original draft by Peter Filardi gets out but I haven't seen it yet).

A year later, I went to see the movie. Do the initials "WTF" mean anything to you?

About halfway through, I wondered what was going wrong. "I don't remember reading THAT." By the end, I couldn't believe what I was seeing: an incredible screenplay had been completely destroyed.


I went to the folks who'd slipped me the script and asked what in the world happened to FLATLINERS. They were as bummed out as I was.

Apparently, Joel Shumacher didn't like the spiritual aspects of the script. So he threw them out. Let me repeat that: he made a movie about the afterlife--and threw out the spiritual aspects of it. That's like making a musical and deciding that nobody would want to hear all that singing.

Then one of the stars became a Big Star going into production. Her people said, "She's a Big Star now and she can't do anything wrong."
I could just imagine someone with a brain asking, "But the premise of the film is that everyone has done something wrong and it comes back to haunt them."
"No. You don't understand. She's a Big Star and nobody wants to see her do anything wrong...and she won't."
So they butchered the script to satisfy the Big Star.

The heroin-addicted Vietnam Vet Daddy sequence replaced an exciting subplot of a professor wrongly accused of sexual harassment who killed himself and comes back to haunt the female lead. The ending was great, tying up every strand and leaving on a high note for the survivors. GONE.

I actually read an article in Fangoria (or maybe it was Starlog) where Joel Shumacher brags--BRAGS--about their ghastly butchering of the original script by himself and the Big Star Who Can't Do Anything Wrong.

For those of you who wonder why movies are so bad: THIS is how that happens.
Peter, I feel for you buddy. You wrote a five-star script.

flat plot line

This may be the only Joel Schumacher movie that holds any potential but being from Joel it's still a mess. Kudos to whomever came up with the Chicago-based update of D.W. Griffith's "creative geography"; in which editing two completely different locations together produces a new geographic reality. In this case various Chicago interiors, a set in Hollywood, a real location on the north side... end up being inside the Museum of Science and Industry way south of the Loop. This is the most enjoyable aspect of the movie. An obsessive production design which highlights building repair and fragmented statues is also intriguing. The space created in this movie is dark and interesting.However Schumacher, who came into his own in the coke-sniffing seventies, doesn't really have the vibe of any other period; and has always had really stupid ideas about what was a complete script; none stupider than St. Elmo's Fire. I'm sure that Schumachers dream project would be an even shallower remake of Xanadu. Ooooh just imagine all the pretty colors!The premise of this movie is "Let's find out what happens (experientially) at the moment of death." Schumacher comes up with: The most difficult, regret-filled moment of your life flashes before your eyes and follows you back into your life to torment you. ...Meh! Maybe a decent writer could do something with that, but here it's super limp and unsatisfying; Why didn't the plot enliven the lore already in the culture about what occurs at the moment of death, instead of inventing this option? The worst thing you did in your life was pick on a student? Oh, heavens to betsy! I myself live with the horrible regret of stealing some gum once from a convenience store. My evil is really, uh... tearing me up; Hey Schumacher! What was your 2nd, deeper, more sensible idea about the after-life? The movie ends up being some compelling visuals in search of a decent script and plot.I haven't seen a single movie where Oliver Platt shouldn't be shot for his terrible acting. True to form, you should hide your gun before viewing this. He's excruciating.

Excellent amazing thriller

Since I am a huge Kiefer Sutherland fan, it is very hard for me not to adore this movie. Kiefer is in this from start to finish and is absolutely mezmerizing in this gorgeously filmed Joel Schumaker film. It is a pyschological thriller with handsome blue lighting and gorgeous actors--eerie gothic-like settings and the thrill and fear of death. Who could ask for more? I think is is a fantastic movie.

character development

Although I enjoyed this movie, it is definitely not one of my favorites. Firstly, I didn't think the characters were developed well. Perhaps because there were two many to focus on. Two much time was spent "killing" them and reviving them minutes later. The idea of seeking atonement for a past wrong, ending the "after death visions" is a good idea. However,on this note I didn't feel that William Baldwin's character was followed through like the others. Julia, Keifer and Kevin's characters seem to resolve their past issues. What about William? Will he still have his visions? Is his past resolved? Is it by refusing the girls? Just like all the visions were different, perhaps the way they are dealt with is as well. On the whole it's an original idea, but not a movie I would intentionally see again.

A medical school WITHOUT LIGHTS?

...And if that were the only problem with this overblown tripe, it would be forgivable. Factor in an embarrassing script, paper-thin characters, a ridiculously bad fit of somebody's idea of pop psychology onto a convoluted plot, and torpid, limp performances, and you've got a stinker, ladies and gentlemen. That Joel Schumacher continues to get work as a director amazes me.

Interesting thought experiment.

Summary:
Five medical students want to see what happens when you die: Nelson Wright (Kiefer Sutherland), Rachel Mannus (Julia Roberts), David Labraccio (Kevin Bacon), Joseph 'Joe' Hurley (William Baldwin), and Randal Steckle (Oliver Platt). What they find is that there are things in their past of which they are not proud.

My Comments:
The premise is truly brilliant - it is a great question. But why do they have to deal with their 'sins'? It never really makes sense. However, the impression I get is that someone is trying to push a 'Christian' theme on the viewers of the movie - what people need is something to atone for their sins. However, even if this was the intent of the writers, I decided to take it a bit further and see the atonement taking place inside the people's minds - more of an atheistic approach.

Anyway, that is really just my interpretation of the movie and not really much of a critique of the production. I thought the acting was satisfactory, not Oscar worthy, but bearable. The setting was fun, an old-school type medical school - something of a gothic feel to it. I thought the movie was well done overall, though it was not always convincing. Some of the scenes with Billy Mahoney (Joshua Rudoy) chasing Nelson weren't very convincing, even with the leeway of a dreamworld. The movie tried too hard at times to be dark; sure, the experiment was dark, but it was also light in other ways, something they chose not to emphasize.

Overall, if you enjoy movies that offer a topic to think about and are a bit on the dark side, you would probably enjoy this. If death and dark movies are not your thing, this one isn't for you.

Great Movie

Flatliners was a very chilling and horrific movie with an interesting plot. This movie was good enough to scare me and a boring Saturday night. Also, if you are a fan of Julia Roberts I'd recommend seeing this movie just because she is in it. I would recommend you check it out. It is worth it.

one of Kiefer Sutherlands best movies

2nd movie in my Kiefer Sutherland movie marathon.This movie is great and this movies about how some medical students experimented with death and each of them start to have weird visions from there childhood.There is an all star cast in this movie with great actors and actress like my favorite actor Kiefer Sutherland,Kevin Bacon who is great in this movie,Julia Roberts,Oliver Platt and William Baldwin.Over all this movie is great and Kiefer Sutherland acted so well in this movie and if u liked Kiefer in this movie u should watch one of his other great movies like the lost boys.My rating for this movie is seven out of ten.

A dark, original thriller

Hmmm.... Since I love Kiefer Sutherland so much, my review might be a little biased. He was, however, pretty good in Flatliners. A wonderful idea for a movie, and a great gothic-type thriller. Sutherland's guilt and fright at the return of boy he taunted terribly when he was young (I'll try not to give away the rest) seemed genuine, especially since he seems drawn more often than not to act characters that are a**holes (there was really no other way to put it). As a young medical school student, his research into life after death draws his friends into dangerous situations and a great finale. The medical school did seem a little sub-standard, though, I will admit. Kevin Bacon is great in Flatliners, as is one of my favorite sarcastic actors, Oliver Platt. William Baldwin's also a cutie and did okay, and though I'm not a Julia Roberts fan, so did she. The plot will draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat, and there's an interesting dark atmosphere pervaded by a lot of red and blue for emotional impact. A good movie.. I'd give it at least an 8 out of 10

Back from the afterlife.

Nelson is a medical professor who wants his four students to put him to death and then bring him back to life so that he can prove that there is an afterlife. So they do and soon enough all of the medical students want to know if there is life after death. The afterlife isn't about pearly gates and lights at the end of the tunnel but something more sinister.Past ghosts come back to haunt them and surely this movie will haunt anyone. It has some pretty scary moments that could translate into real life and it makes people wonder somewhat about what happens when you die. It's a good movie to see when it's raining and you're feeling down. It's also a little weird.See it with a haunted past.

It's not as bad as people make it out to be...

Okay, so the whole "medical school in an old church" deal isn't quite accurate. So what? This movie is pure fantasy, and if you can accept that fact, you'll really enjoy it. It's one of those films that, if you have the right mind-set, will put you in an introspective mood for at least a few hours. And if that fails, watch it for Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon. Their performances are excellent and the two play extremely well off of each other.

Not too bad, considering the idea of the movie

I have seen Flatliners, and I didn't think it was that bad. I think the idea is original, and the acting wasn't bad. I think this movie got a bad rap. How many movies do you see with a plot like this? I must admit, it isn't the best movie in the world, but I think it is decent.

Crazy experiment nurtured by boredom

A film that reveals the unease of modern men and women in life when confronted to death. We are beyond the simple religious belief in the afterlife, and what's more in any kind of hell or heaven. Religion is declared dead. Yet human beings are more obsessed than ever by death, especially since we can push it away for quite a long time. What's more the scientific and technological development of our societies leads us to believe we can explain everything, know everything and do everything. That was quite typical of the end of the 20th century. Today things are changing, especially when the president of the United States himself, Barack Obama, in a public speech to journalists speaks of their search for truth and qualifies that truth as being of course relative because it is more a quest than a final end, objective or achievement. The film shows the end of the good old metaphysical thinking that was starting to evolve into a truth obsession, an obsessive conception that truth was unique and irreversibly reachable. Post modernism had not reached Hollywood yet, though today it seems to have reached the White House. So some young doctors and medical students decide to go into death and come back. Technically it is possible but the result is not surprising. It reactivates old guilty feelings and frustrations that had been buried into the unconscious. One has to do with a drug addicted father of a Vietnam veteran who commits suicide, another with a young boy who was stoned to death by some others the death tripper included, another still with a young black girl who was victimized and bullied in grade school out of racism, sexism and hatred if not fear in front of her shyness. It is so naïve that you could cry out of shame for these young adults who are highly qualified and behave like babies who are crying for their bottles of edulcorated fruit juice. The film though is interesting but in something quite different. The setting and the shooting and every single detail or treatment of any detail is baroque, morbid, decadent, quite in the style of "Death in Venice" or Greenaway, or some other works of art that deal with making friends with the basic enemy that death is. Of course that does not save the film but at least that makes it worth watching.Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines, CEGID

Joel Schumacher window-dresses death.

The only thing more full of holes than this movie's premise is its script. Flatliners is the ideal showcase for Joel Schumacher's glorious, flamboyant, brazen lack of talent. The plot is totally illogical but super fake-ponderous and everything is art-directed within an inch of its life in the most clichéd, overheated way. I love how the med school autopsy room is a cavernous vaulted marble mausoleum low-lit in red with huge Rembrandt paintings hanging from the walls. I love how Keifer Sutherland drives a canvas-backed army jeep. No one in Joel Schumacher's movies lives in an un-eccentric manner. It's always an alternate universe where everyone is young and painfully hip, but hip strictly and obsessively according to an out-of-touch middle-aged billionaire man-child's idea of hip. And holy crap! The part where Baldwin brother #16 dies and comes back to life and then is haunted by all the women he's slept with who intone "I'll call you" and "I just need some space" is the funniest friggin' thing in the whole universe!!!! What kind of a world do we live in where Joel Schumacher gets to keep having people throw money at him? "Flatliners" made me want to review the man's entire oeuvre solely for the kind of high-quality yuks contained therein.

"I don't want to be buried on a Saturday... it cost's $150 more to be buried on Saturday." Average horror/thriller.

Flatliners starts with a young idealistic medical student named Nelson Wright (Kiefer Sutherland) convincing four of his fellow students to help him perform an experiment in which he hopes to experience the afterlife by killing himself under strict conditions & then having his friends revive him. The night of the experiment arrives & Nelson along with David Labraccio (Kevin Bacon), Rachel Mannus (Julia Roberts), Joe Hurley (William Baldwin) & Randy Steckle (Oliver Platt) prepares to die, for a few seconds anyway. The experiment goes as well as could be expected with Nelson being successfully revived after being clinically dead for a short amount of time, the friends wax lyrical about all the fame, fortune & praise that will be heaped upon them by the media & medical professions. Joe is next to undergo the procedure as they need more data, then it's David & finally Rachel. However experiencing death & the afterlife first hand doesn't come without it's problems as past sins come back in physical manifestations to haunt & terrorise the friends. Somehow they must find a way to appease their sins, or be haunted by them forever more...Directed by Joel Schumacher I thought Flatliners was an OK way to pass a couple of hours but was nothing particularly special. The script by Peter Filardi moves along at a reasonable pace & isn't overly dull but it didn't really grip or engage me, I didn't really care about any of the character's or what was happening to them. The basic central idea behind Flatliners is quite original but the way it presents itself is rather lacklustre & it seems to have almost no ambition in tackling the issues it raises, the way Joe, Rachel & David overcome their past sins is very low key & Nelson has a ridiculous fight with his in the afterlife while he is dead but you just know his friends on the outside are going to revive him even though he's been dead for what seems like an eternity. Flatliners seems convinced that to make up for past sins all you have to do is confront them, apologise & that afterwards everything will be perfect, I thought Flatliners was a horror film not a feel-good Disney film! Flatliners obviously tries to say things about religion, the afterlife, past misdemeanours & friendship but it doesn't do a very good job. Oh, & as you would expect the clichéd romantic sub plot is present & correct. There's no real blood or gore & the only violence is Sutherland being beaten with a hockey-stick wielding psycho kid. One question though, why is a medical school situated in what looks like a Cathedral or Church, sure it's Gothic & it looks cool but it felt odd somehow.Director Schumacher doesn't know the meaning of the word subtle, he lights everything with bright neon colours usually cold icy blues & contrasting warm glowing oranges. The entire film looks so staged & forced when something more natural looking might have been better. Having said that the film does look sumptuous with some fantastic lighting & photography that gives Flatliners a classy feel throughout. Schumacher fails to generate much tension, atmosphere or surprise & really should have done more with cast & material he had. For some reason Schumacher depicts the afterlife with aerial shots of snow covered mountains & people running through grassy hillsides.With a supposed budget of about $26,000,000 Flatliners is technically excellent especially it's visual qualities. The special effects are good as is the music & it's generally a very well made film. The acting is pretty decent by a good cast but Kevin what's with that bad 80's hairdo?!Flatliners is an OK film, it won't knock your socks off or change your life but it's definitely worth at least one watch & you can probably catch it on TV all the time for free these days, like I did.