On C List of Movie Reviews

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)


Coma (1978)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 12/03, 7/25

Coma
7/25: Michael Crichton almost had it.

I was thinking of '9' for Coma. Then, the second half came and thus slowed down the momentum, causing me to drop the rating to '8'. By the time Dr. Bellows sensed what was going on and decided to go to the basement, there went the film. Why couldn't he remain in position and restrain Dr. Harris from operating on Dr. Wheeler?

At the same time, why the sudden change of heart? Everything Dr. Wheeler told Dr. Bellows was convincing every step of the way, and he refused to believe her, no matter what. He could've gone with her inside Jefferson Institute to see for himself. Then again, she should've reported to the cops or, better yet, the FBI. Speaking of bodies suspended by wires, I wonder how urination and defecation are handled.

The cast is very strong which includes the very young Ed Harris in his screen debut. Michael Douglas looks handsome, but I give credit to Geneviève Bujold for turning the premise into a suspense thriller. The script may be laden with medical terminology, but most of it can be figured out, thanks to the followed-up situations. There have been times I thought of ER, a TV show that Michael Crichton would create, which was actually started on paper in 1974 but got passed over many times.

The mystery takes a while to solve. Once unraveled, it feels entirely plausible. That being said, I wonder what the going rate for Tom Selleck's mustache would be. By the way, when his character needed an operation to repair his torn lateral meniscus, I said, "Bad idea. He has a better chance of recovery if he did physical therapy instead because of his age." By electing surgery, he'll probably have a total knee replacement down the road.

All in all, Coma is worth watching, but the final thirty minutes needs work.