Vital Signs (1990)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Marisa Silver

Writers (WGA):

Larry Ketron (story)
Larry Ketron (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 April 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

During one incredible year, seven friends discover that love is alive and living in the 90's.

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Sex | Ambulance | Female Nudity | Beautiful Woman | Medical

Cast

Adrian Pasdar	...	Michael Chatham
Diane Lane	...	Gina Wyler
Jack Gwaltney	...	Kenny Rose
Laura San Giacomo	...	Lauren Rose
Jane Adams	...	Suzanne Maloney
Tim Ransom	...	Bobby Hayes
Bradley Whitford	...	Dr. Donald Ballentine
Lisa Jane Persky	...	Bobby
William Devane	...	Dr. Chatham
Norma Aleandro	...	Henrietta Walker
Jimmy Smits	...	Dr. David Redding
Wallace Langham	...	Gant
James Karen	...	Dean of Students
Leigh C. Kim	...	Dr. Chen
Enid Kent	...	Vivian

Runtime:

Germany:99 min | USA:103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | Germany:16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center - 1200 N. State Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Quotes:

Dr. David Redding: Third year is like being a rookie pitcher called on to pitch the seventh game of the World Series... blindfolded.

Soundtrack:

Angelyne

Overall, an accurate depiction of medical school competition

Although some scenes are over-dramatized, the film, as a whole, accurately depicts the cut-throat competition in medical school, as opposed to another critic's opinion that it was less accurate than the movie, Gross Anatomy, which in my opinion, was the furthest away from reality.

Some scenes in Vital Signs imply that medical school students in their third year (the first year out of the classroom) have more authority and autonomy than what is true in reality. But the film shows the human side of medicine and that medicine isn't an exact science. Physicians can practice and study for years and still not completely understand the human body.

The relationships in the movie are very realistic, especially with Kenny Rose and his wife. Medical school (and medicine in general) takes up a great deal of personal time, which can be damaging to a relationship. The "hanky-panky" between Michael and Gena happens all the time. The relationship between Michael and his father is realistic as well. Sometimes the profession consumes the physician and without knowing it, harms the family life.

Again, I found this film to be a realistic portrayal of medical school. In fact, I have this film on tape and watch it from time to time to motivate me in my medical career. I would recommend this movie to anyone in the medical field, especially students thinking about medical school.