As a Gulf War Veteran who has tolerated enough crap from the Department of Veteran Affairs to last me five life times this movie nails the subject between the ears as it should be addressed. Those civilians who have never had to go through the most insane level of BS known to mankind have not a clue what the Veteran community tolerates as it pertains to acquiring services due the sacrifices we have made.This movie clearly represents the obfuscation, misinformation, lies, denial of services, and the withholding of information that those in charge of the VA tell the practitioners along with other employees to do. Very few times in life are there men and women who see all of the information, see the connections, see the injustice, only to take a step forward to put those in charge on their butt. These rare and rather heroic people stand up against the corruption as those who get the job done. Should you doubt what I am saying visit any VA Medical Center or federal office building where claims are filed in order to speak first hand to those who are in the middle of fighting for necessary services. Furthermore maybe, just maybe you can elaborate on why this movie was released in the shortest time frame only to be rushed through the country as quick as possible. As we certainly do not want to show "Any" government entity in a bad light… May God have mercy on the souls of those who delay, deny, and expect us to die as I along with many others shall have no mercy and give no quarter to such rats.

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!!

If you want a film that has the same world view try The House of God 1984. If you have ever worked in a hospital you'll find some sad truths in these films. And they do not waste half the film in a football parody like the over rated Atman does.

This is clearly a film that has it's heart on it's sleeve and wants usto get outraged about the injustice and 'red tape' that is holding upour VA system. Made before the glut of hospital shows such as ER orChicago Hope, it features many of the same ideas and stories, but shotin a better way. The camera work is fine in this film, much better thaneither of those tv shows. The acting is too, for the most part. I feltthe film was stolen by the great Eli Wallach, who walks away with everyscene he's in. I ended up feeling sorry for Kiefer Sutherland who had toshare the screen with Wallach- it was like watching a kid playbasketball with Michael Jordan. Ray Liotta does a fine intense job, andthe supporting roles are all wonderful. The great Kathy Baker is all butwasted, but does a great job. Lynn Thigpen has a small role, but doesit with her usual dignity and grace. Kieth David, John Mahoney andJeffrey Tambor all bless us with their talents, and I ended up wishingthe movie focused more on them than on the 'pretty young things'. Ifanything does not work with this film I'd have to say it was thedirecting or the editing- for some reason it doesn't come together in asatisfying way, despite some fine performances. Also, I'd just recentlyseen M*A*S*H*, which sets the bar pretty high for this kind of movie.And not to compare apples and oranges, but if you're looking for a'things are screwy in the medical profession' film, M*A*S*H* would bethe best way to go.