I’ve had my eye on this one for a while, a collaboration between one of my favorite actors and very likely my favorite director. This is the most harrowing of all the Scorsese films I’ve seen, with a message that may not resonate with all or even most viewers. I’ve read about how Scorsese grew up around many paramedics, and his Catholic upbringing is an obvious point of emphasis in his career, so with Bringing out the Dead we come to an interesting point of conflict between those experiences and his belief. 

There’s something really disturbing about the New York City of this film, it’s filthy and broken in a way only comparable to Taxi Driver, but there is no shining light at the end of the film, no real redemption. The consequence of Frank’s actions do not make the world a better place, and the euphoric rush of saving a life is overwhelmed by the ocean of pain, suffering, and failures. The arc of Frank’s character is not that of an EMT who comes to appreciate his work, or as one who is content to simply “bear witness” anymore, but rather to relieve pain by any means necessary. Even if that means letting someone go. 

The revolving door of partners, whether John Goodman, Ving Rhames, or Tom Sizemore, all bring their own perspectives, their own coping mechanisms, and their own problems into the ambulance. These extended sessions, where the majority of the film is set, feel almost like a confession booth where plots are hatched, egos are inflated, and philosophies are debated. This is not just a film about the tough life of an ambulance paramedic, it’s a deconstruction of what salvation really is, and where the line is drawn between saving a life and living in delusion. 

The casting is perfect, the editing truly brings out the chaos of these events, and overall Bringing out the Dead stands tall among Scorsese’s filmography, far from the middling bust I was cautiously expecting. I hope this grows in esteem over time.