Back in the 1970s, one of the biggest political issues was the Women's Liberation Movement. TV shows picked up on it with sitcoms like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, Maude and One Day at a Time. Hollywood even dabbled in featuring plots with strong female characters. Surprise, surprise.
Coma (1978), based on a novel by Robin Cook, was written and directed by Michael Crichton. It's one of my favorite "women's lib" movies. Genevieve Bujold plays Dr. Susan Wheeler, a resident at a University hospital in Boston who uncovers a plot involving comatose patients. Can't say more. Don't want to give away the surprise ending.
Michael Douglas plays her boyfriend, also a Dr. at the hospital. One of his best films, imo. And guess who has a small but important part? Tom Selleck! Very cool. This was just before he had his own TV show, Magnum P.I.
You can't help but notice the women's lib references:
SUSAN: Get your own dinner!
2 comments:
Ooooh, this is a goody! And you know - kudos for your observation about the women's lib angle - I watched it just to see a thriller - and missed this - but now that you point it out, obviously it's a big part of the story. Robin Cook is the go-to man for twisty medical thrillers in my book - and who can forget the nightmarish imagery of the figures suspended on wires...oh, I better shut up before I wander into spoiler territory...great choice - and somewhat forgotten - so well done giving Coma some love!
Craig: I love this movie. Even though I've seen it many many times, I never get tired of watching it when I'm in the mood for a medical thriller. And of course Michael is amazing! I REALLY loved how Susan was able to escape the Jefferson Institute on the top of the ambulance! GENIUS!
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