Flatliners (1990)

Medical students bring themselves near death; their experiment begins to go awry.

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writer:

Peter Filardi

Stars:

Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kiefer Sutherland	...	Nelson
Julia Roberts	...	Dr. Rachel Mannus
Kevin Bacon	...	David Labraccio
William Baldwin	...	Dr. Joe Hurley
Oliver Platt	...	Randy Steckle
Kimberly Scott	...	Winnie Hicks
Joshua Rudoy	...	Billy Mahoney
Benjamin Mouton	...	Rachel's Father
Aeryk Egan	...	Young Nelson
Kesha Reed	...	Young Winnie
Hope Davis	...	Anne Coldren
Jim Ortlieb	...	Uncle Dave
John Duda	...	Young David (as John Joseph Duda)
Megan Stewart	...	Playground Kid
Tressa Thomas	...	Playground Kid

Storyline

Medical students begin to explore the realm of near death experiences, hoping for insights. Each has their heart stopped and is revived. They begin having flashes of walking nightmares from their childhood, reflecting sins they committed or had committed against them. The experiences continue to intensify, and they begin to be physically beaten by their visions as they try and go deeper into the death experience to find a cure.

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Plot Keywords:

death | medical student | near death experience | afterlife | childhood | 

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Taglines:

Some lines shouldn't be crossed.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 August 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Línea mortal

Filming Locations:

Bensenville, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$61,490,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Stonebridge Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) CDS (digital 35 mm prints) Dolby (analog 35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When David Labraccio (Kevin Bacon) goes to visit Winnie Hicks ('Kimberly Scott') to "atone" for taunting her, he mentions that they both went to "S.B. Butler" school as kids to remind her who he was. Writer Peter Filardi included this as a nod to his hometown in southeastern Connecticut, where there is a real "S.B. Butler" elementary school, near downtown Mystic, CT.

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Goofs

In the bathroom scene with Rachel and her father, the walls can be seen sliding back in order to make the set bigger for the 360 degree camera sweep.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Nelson Wright: Today is a good day to die.

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Connections

Remade as Flatliners

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Soundtracks

"THE CLAPPING SONG"
Written by Lincoln Chase

User Reviews

I have this flashback of Wednesday Addams about to electrocute Pugsly while playing a game called "Is there a God?"

Every time I think about this film, I have this flashback of Wednesday Addams about to electrocute Pugsly while playing a game called "Is there a God?" The premise of the film is that one could view the afterlife and come back with the ability to report on their findings. The idea that a medical school would admit or retain anyone who had these tendencies, let alone allow a sizable amount of expensive equipment to go unaccounted for, is ridiculous. Given that, I have to say the film has merit, but it is certainly not the merit of a sound plot.

The acting, however, is superb, and every cast member should be applauded for their ability to rise to the occasion in this somewhat palatable "horror" film.

Kiefer's ability to maintain his character's persona is exceptional, breaking at just the right moment in the film.

Julia Roberts certainly gives us a performance rivaling her work in previous films, as well as adding an interesting perspective to the idea of guilt and redemption.

Kevin Bacon is the glue than binds this band together, with his ability to maintain the focus of the five on the problems they are facing.

Oliver Platt provides an interesting sort of comic relief, and William Baldwin brings his boyish demeanor into play with his particular sin, although you have to wonder how that character ever got into medical school.

The sets really give us the "horror" feeling, and you have to give Joel Schumacher his props for his camera angles and framing of the these spooky rooms and buildings.

Rated R for violence, sexual references and scenes, and language, definitely not one for the younger set. Wouldn't want to give anyone ideas. Not particularly collectible.