VITAL SIGNS
US, 1990, 102 minutes, Colour.
Adrian Pasdar, Diane Lane, Jimmy Smits, Laura San Giacomo, Jane Adams, Norma Aleandro, William Devane.
Directed by Marisa Silver.
Vital Signs is a '90s version of the old stories of interns and young doctors. It is glossily presented and enjoyable while it's there - but of no great consequence. (It might be compared with Gross Anatomy which appeared at much the same time.) Jimmy Smits gives some authority to his role as the doctor. The young cast is led by Adrian Pasdar (Near Dark) and Diane Lane (A Little Romance, The Outsiders, The Big Town).
Direction is by Marisa Silver (He Says, She Says) - but, all in all, it is familiar material.
1. Entertaining medical students story? Life in hospitals, patients? Training? The conflicts for the students?
2. The world of the hospital, the wards, common rooms? Surgery? The background to the life of the students? Musical score?
3. The title, the medical tone - to patients and students?
4. The establishing of the beginning of the third year, the students arriving, past friendships, relationships, interactions? Hopes and ambitions? Dr Redding and his speech? The beginning of the rounds? The doctor's assistant, her comments, introduction to the patients? The demands made on time, energy, study?
5. The range of students and their stories:
Michael, son of a doctor, the pressures, competitive? Earnest? His friendship with the other students? Attraction to Gina, talking with her, sharing, the reaction of Donald Ballantyne, the sexual encounter, a future? His friendship with Henrietta Walker, her telling him off, his continued care, the problem of her surgery, medication, Dr Ballantyne? His rivalry with Kenny, being humiliated by him in the ward? The medication, his being suspended? Kenny supporting him? The interview with Dr Redding, his being reinstated and being given the internship? With Gina?
Gina: background, studies, relationship with Donald Ballantyne, attraction to Michael, with him, sharing? In the ward, the birth of her child and her joy, the boy with convulsions and his death? With Michael?
Kenny, ambition, his marriage to Lauren? Her work in the restaurant, supporting him? The visits to the hospital? His always winning, his study and relentlessness? Humiliating Michael in the ward? Humiliating Lauren? The meal and shop talk, the role of women in hospitals, Gina's support? Her decision to leave? Remeeting, the reconciliation? Kenny and his decision to tell the truth about Michael? The transfer to Chicago and success?
Suzanne, her work, paediatrician, the doctor telling her off because of her advice for sore throats? Work in the ward, fainting? Relationship with Hayes? Their working together, studying together?
Hayes, jokes? With the group, at work, succeeding despite expectations? The relationship with Suzanne?
6. Dr Redding, authority, training? Responsibility and decisions? The wards, discussions about personal life, about skills? Miss Walker? The decision about Dr Ballantyne, reversing his decision? Working with Michael?
7. Donald Ballantyne, as a doctor, skills? Relationship with Gina? Jealousy, the clash with Michael, neglecting Miss Walker, the hearing?
8. Miss Walker, her hard words to Michael about his bedside manner? Friendship, professionalism? Surgery, danger of death, recovery?
9. The picture of the medical staff? The various patients and the doctors on their rounds?
10. Familiar story of interns, medical students training and their responsibilities, ambitions, relationships?
