SYNOPSIS

At New York’s Gramercy Hospital, a homeless man under the care of English doctor Guy Luthan (Hugh Grant) dies in a horrific manner. Soon both the patient and his file mysteriously disappear. The puzzled Luthan is told by a superior to forget about it and move on. Undaunted, Luthan conducts his own investigation–and uncovers a scandal in which homeless people are being used as human guinea pigs in the name of science. The moral Luthan wants to put a stop to this, but doing so may cost him his career–and his life.
Adapted from a book by Michael Palmer, the film marches to its conclusion with as much suspense as director Michael Apted’s previous thrillers (AGATHA, GORKY PARK, and THUNDERHEART). Grant plays the charming, put-upon Englishman to perfection, while Gene Hackman and Sarah Jessica Parker provide strong supporting roles. An intelligent examination of the contemporary dilemmas in medical ethics, the film concludes with an ending that will challenge viewers’ moral beliefs.


TRAILER


RELEASE DATE

January 31, 1997

DIRECTOR

Michael Apted

WRITER

Michael Palmer (book) & Tony Gilroy (screenplay)

COMPANY

Columbia Pictures

GENRE

Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

CERT

15

RUNTIME

118 minutes

IMAGES