Threshold (1981)

The celebrated heart surgeon Dr. Vrain supports the research of the offbeat scientist Aldo Gehring, who is inventing an artificial heart. Dr. Vrain performs the first artificial human heart... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Pearce

Writer:

James Salter

Stars:

Donald Sutherland, John Marley, Sharon Acker

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Sutherland	...	Dr. Thomas Vrain
John Marley	...	Edgar Fine
Sharon Acker	...	Tilla Vrain
Mare Winningham	...	Carol Severance
Jeff Goldblum	...	Dr. Aldo Gehring
Michael Lerner	...	Henry De Vici
Julie Armstrong	...	Donna Clure
Jun Asahina	...	Japanese Technician
Steve Ballantine	...	Injured Motorcyclist
Ralph Benmergui	...	Mr. Orantes' Interpreter (as Ralph Benmurgui)
Richard Blackburn	...	Dr. Cutter
Lally Cadeau	...	Anita, Vrain's Secretary
Eric Clavering	...	Old Man in Recovery
James Douglas	...	Older Doctor in X-Ray Room (as James B. Douglas)
Nancy Downey	...	Judy

Storyline

The celebrated heart surgeon Dr. Vrain supports the research of the offbeat scientist Aldo Gehring, who is inventing an artificial heart. Dr. Vrain performs the first artificial human heart transplant against the advice of the Ethics Committee.

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Plot Keywords:

heart | artificial heart | scientist | surgeon | heart transplant | 

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Taglines:

In this surgeons hands, life has a new meaning.

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

A cuore aperto

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 5,700,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canada Permanent Trust Company, Paragon Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Absorbing and realistic

I wasn't really looking forward to seeing this film, and only ended up watching it because it stars Donald Sutherland and Jeff Goldblum, two of Hollywood's most talented and inimitable actors.

In the end, though, I glad I did watch it - THRESHOLD turned out to be an engaging and absorbing drama. It's a fictional account of the first ever artificial heart transplant, and feels so realistic that you'd never guess it was made two years before the artificial heart became a reality.

Donald Sutherland's first-rate performance is probably the highlight of the movie - when he's this good, you wonder if there's anyone he couldn't act off the screen. A then unknown Jeff Goldblum holds his own admirably as the idealistic young doctor who invented the artificial heart, and the film features some impressive camerawork, most notably the opening tracking shot.

All in all, it helps if you're a Sutherland fan, but it's not essential; this is one of those movies whose relaxed pace, absorbing atmosphere and strong performances will have you hooked right from the start.