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Broken Vessels

Play trailer Poster for Broken Vessels R 1998 1h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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69% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A relocated Pennsylvanian (Jason London) works with a seemingly unflappable partner (Todd Field) at a Los Angeles ambulance service.

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3/4
What makes the movie special is the way both lead actors find the right quiet notes for their performances. Go to Full Review
Kaleem Aftab The List 04/13/2019
4/5
The action is bolstered by several wacky characters and an unrelenting dark comic touch. Go to Full Review
Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid 05/26/2006
Competently made but it tells the same old story of drug addiction that Trainspotting (1996) told much better. Go to Full Review
Film Threat 12/06/2005
3.5/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 06/26/2005
3/5
Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com 01/08/2005
3/4
Makes a quieter but deeper impression than Bringing Out the Dead. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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05/30/2012 The story may not be the most inspired, but it is engaging. The one thing that really bugs me though is the "original music" which is a series of blatant rip-offs of other, legitimately good music from the era. See more 02/07/2011 A peculiar drug-rush movie! The mentor- newbie bond is extremely well portrayed by our two main characters. they get carried away in their high habbit, eventually stranding on shooting hero (what's worse!). The background of our lad keeps the intrest high on his side, comensating it with the drugs. therefor the titel 'broken vessel' as in they don't learn. The escapades our two medics embark on are pretty entertaining and far out! See more 07/11/2010 http://stagevu.com/video/csqqxsdvzspn ... reads: (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149964)... Over the edge and out of control...Where the hell did BROKEN VESSELS come from? This film is everything Scorcese's "Bringing Out The Dead" promised to deliver - but didn't. My brother sent me a DVD saying "This is the best Indie film of that year." The art work on the cover was dreadful. It looked like a stupid B horror film. The back of the thing had some awards listed and kudos for the actors... What a ride! Who is Scott Ziehl? Who is Susan Traylor? And who is Todd Field? Field should have been nominated for this performance. I can only guess that the film went straight to video. Too bad more people won't see it. The film accurately depicted the decline of two young men into self delusion and drug abuse. Far better (dare I say) than "Trainspotting." By: nYx64 See more 11/06/2009 Surprisingly effective drama with fine performances from Todd Field and Jason London. Great pace, believable situations, good supporting cast. The score is very nice, good editing and the overall direction is right on target. See more 01/31/2008 Obvious symbolism and pretentiousness aside, this is one boring film. Though it was cool to see William Smith (the white one) in a film again. See more 12/05/2007 Attempts to makes a quieter but deeper impression than Bringing Out the Dead, but is weighted down by conventional morality and predictable storytelling. See more Read all reviews
Broken Vessels

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Movie Info

Synopsis A relocated Pennsylvanian (Jason London) works with a seemingly unflappable partner (Todd Field) at a Los Angeles ambulance service.
Director
Scott Ziehl
Producer
Roxana Zal, Scott Ziehl
Screenwriter
David Baer, John McMahon, Scott Ziehl
Production Co
Ziehl & Zal
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Mar 9, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.5K
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Surround