Insouciant, happily married, talented sculptor Dreyfus has the world on a string until a horrible car accident leaves him a quadriplegic, completely dependent on hospital life-support systems and the kindness of strangers. Only his brain has been left uninjured, allowing him to grow
embittered by his fate. By turns dejected and aggressive, believing himself a burden to all around him, Dreyfuss isolates himself from everyone and everything, forbidding even his wife to see him. Although his doctor (Lahti) does all she can to revive his interest in life, Dreyfuss decides he
wants to die. The hospital executives, led by doctor Cassavetes, refuse to take him off life support. This prompts Dreyfuss to retain an attorney and who goes to court in an effort to win his client the right to die.
Based on a Brian Clark's much-praised Broadway play, this film wants be a thoughtful rumination on a controversial issue (though it leaves little doubt as to which side of the argument it supports). Dreyfuss is whiny and abrasive in a demanding role, giving a dismal performance which he has since
attributed to drug and alcohol abuse. The film bombed at the box office, as did his next effort, THE BUDDY SYSTEM (1984). His career was in serious jeopardy until DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS (1986), STAKEOUT (1987), and TIN MEN (1987) revived his popularity. leave a comment
