Hospital

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Robin C “Hospital” Right now, we are in the midst of a Boston-wide (and beyond) Frederick Wiseman retrospective of the man’s copious documentary film output of some 50 features over 60+ years. In 1970, Frederick Wiseman and his tiny crew made a documentary foray into the Metropolitan Hospital Center in NYC. His fly-on-the-wall cameras concentrated, mainly, on the ER and outpatient services and shows how we really need quality healthcare in our visit to the “Hospital.” This film came out at a time of turmoil in America. The Vietnam War raged and the protests here at home dominated the hearts and minds of America. So, comes along Wiseman and his incredible ability to have his camera presence accepted by his subjects, allowing for incredibly candid moments. As said, the documentary concentrated on the ER and outpatient services, but there is much more to “Hospital” during its succinct 84 minute runtime. Anyone familiar with the veteran documentarian will note how he expanded his film running times to the three hour range in recent years. That Wiseman packed so much information in such a short film tells reams about the man’s ability. The subjects of “Hospital” vary from staff – who are aware of the needs of their patients, whether that patient knows it or not – to the variety of patients. They are of all ages but are primarily the underserved in our society – mentally challenged, language barriers, fear of immigration officials, drug abusers and more all show up at the hospital for care. The most impressive thing about the staff of the Metropolitan is their dedication to their patients. These medicos go the extra measure to treat and protect their patients – like a young boy admitted because his grandmother/guardian was too drunk to come and get him. The doctors, nurses, administrators and the rest of the staff do whatever is needed, often beyond their ken. It is interesting to watch the early works of a director that I have come to know, respect and expect great things. Now, over 50 years later, he’s still got it, though he has announced his retirement. I guess the man deserves a break about now. B+ Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/28/25 Full Review Audience Member Probably the most intense showing of hospital-life ever recorded. It saddens because it forces you in the room with the doctors, and the patients. No side is excluded. "Hospital" is a dark, scary tour of something so real to everyone. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Frederick Wiseman's "Hospital" is a great fly on the wall documentary (as is his style) that showcases many lives of doctors, nurses and patients in a urban hospital. The sad lives of these patients is incredible when you see it all strung together like this. If I learned anything from this film, it is that I could never work in a hospital. The film may be old, but the issues it touches on are still fairly relevant and hold up well. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Harrowing documentary about the facelessness of the modern American health system. The power of this film comes from Wiseman's camera, he captures every detail of the patients in their interactions with the doctors, and you have no choice but to scrutinise something that you might very well turn away from in real life. it is a deep and thoughtful film; we find that we empathise with the patients (and also some of the staff) and also find ourselves back in cintact with the basic material of our lives. Despite accusations of bias, the film is open-ended and draws no conclusions of its own, as whatever your views going into the film, the film is likely to affirm them. The only truly objective thing that Wiseman wishes to express is the good will of a proportion of the staff; the hospital may seem horrific, but you come away from the film remembering the humanity that exists there. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member I think you'd have to be emotionally connected to the characters in order to get something out of this sometimes tragic, sometimes hilarious Wiseman doc that Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Hospital

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