Broken Vessels

R

1998

1h 30m

Drama

List

69%

16 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A relocated Pennsylvanian (Jason London) works with a seemingly unflappable partner (Todd Field) at a Los Angeles ambulance service.

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

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

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Attempts to makes a quieter but deeper impression than Bringing Out the Dead, but is weighted down by conventional morality and predictable storytelling.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Scott Ziehl

Director

Todd Field

Jimmy

Jason London

Tom

Roxana Zal

Elizabeth

Susan Traylor

Susy

James Hong

Mr. Chen

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

What makes the movie special is the way both lead actors find the right quiet notes for their performances.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Peter Stack

San Francisco Chronicle

Rated: 1/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

The action is bolstered by several wacky characters and an unrelenting dark comic touch.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 13, 2019

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Competently made but it tells the same old story of drug addiction that Trainspotting (1996) told much better.

May 26, 2006

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Synopsis

A relocated Pennsylvanian (Jason London) works with a seemingly unflappable partner (Todd Field) at a Los Angeles ambulance service.

Director: Scott Ziehl
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