Article 99

Ray Liotta and Kiefer Sutherland star in this MASH (1970) comes home to a United States Veterans Administration hospital. This surprisingly harsh indictment of this Country's federal hospital system for veterans depicts a rather cynical drama with batches of humor in a engaging and entertaining film about the various medical doctors who must carry on even in light of federal regulations that prevent them from undertaking essential medical treatment on veterans with serious ailments.

Although somewhat of a comedy it is also a dramatic, realistic depiction of how the VA treats heros of war and still does to this day. It will make you angry, laugh & cry. It will also make you jump for joy as the vets and doctors revolt against VA's political games. I got the point of the movie and highly recommend it, especially for veterans.

I wish that I could agree with the above poster, but unfortunately I can't. First of all Article 99 was a great movie, great cast, and an overall great attempt to put a face on the plight of all our veterans that are in need of medical care. The only flaw in the movie is that there is usually no one that will take a stand and fight for our veterans. From overcrowded hospitals, to canceled benefits, fraud and abuse from a system that is flawed and useless. I watched my grandfather go through the agonies of slowly dying from lack of care, without any dignity, my friends and now myself. I wish that I could say that it is an isolated case, and/or an isolated hospital, but since I have been to 4 VA Hospitals in three different states, it is not an isolated case and/or an isolate hospital. I know we hear it all the time, another veteran crying that he is not being taken care of…my only question is when is someone going to listen and change the system that created the word "red tape."

I liked this film because of the great performances; Ray Liotta, Kiefer Sutherland, Keith David, and John C. McGinley and others too numerous to mention. It makes you wonder if our veterans are truly treated this badly, they gave their souls and their bodies for the various wars and paid the price The details in this film of short supplies and doctor's steal from other departments to help patients is often funny, but is also sad I loved all the performances except Lea Thompson who if she never won an Academy award I wouldn't be surprised!! She should stick to TV comedies where she is moderately interesting Keith David has made a career out of the Pysco-vet(See Men At Work") and he is funny; Ray Liotta is more the band leader, and Kiefer Sutherland is the sentimental doctor An Excellent Film experience!!

As a comedy, this film is a failure. Fortunately, as the film progresses, the lightheartedness is toned down, and it evolves into a thoughtful drama. To be sure, this movie is hard to take seriously at times, but the one-on-one encounters are often rather effective. In particular, the relationship between Kiefer Sutherland and Eli Wallach stood out as my favorite part of the movie. The ending, although hard to believe, still had a powerful kick, and may prove to be an eye-opening experience for some people. It is most certainly a flawed film, but it is also still worth a look, and I would have to say that I learned a thing or two from this movie as well.

This is a terse drama with its moments of comedy. Keifer Sutherland is a young doctor signing on at a Veteran's Hospital where Ray Liotta leads a renegade group of doctors going against hospital rules and lack of funds to provide help to ailing veterans. You won't get what you want...and what you do get ain't worth *#^t. That attitude is easy to take when you're a victim of Bureaucratic Red Tape. This is an eye opening movie, but not evocative of the majority of VA Hospitals. The very talented cast includes: Forest Whitaker, John Mahoney, Lea Thompson and Keith David. Along with Liotta, John C. McGinley and veteran actor Eli Wallach seem to add a special touch. Worthwhile even if it is sometimes stretching the boundaries of reality.