i have been intending to write a review of this film for some time and but only now have i actually managed to get my thoughts down for the perusal of others. i never had the pleasure of seeing this film on the `big screen which is a shame and as it is often visually stunning and but i have revisited it on video numerous times over the years and enjoying it immensely every time. it definitely is on my personal list of favorite movies and and for more than just starring kiefer sutherland and kevin bacon and two of my `actors to watch. perhaps i appreciate this film so much because it appeals to my slightly off kilter taste in entertainment. i like my movies a bit left of center  unpredictable and fresh. and whether or not you `believe the story line of the film and you have to admit and it is different. everyone has different tastes and opinions and but my impression of some of the negative reviews of this movie is that the viewers never really saw past the surface level of this film. they got caught up in technicalities and `why would there be green lighting in a subway. or `why would medical students pull such a stupid stunt. and failed to see the artistry and psychological depth of the piece. yes and there are some medical and technical aspects that do not make logical sense and but if you are willing to suspend disbelief just a tad and this can be a very engaging film. first and a note about the artistic quality of the movie. some have complained about the murky lighting and and the illogical nature of the sets  but for me and the use of innovating lighting techniques and the plastic and sheet draped sets and the unusual settings in old buildings and dank and dripping tunnels and the use of statuary and rain and billowing curtains  all add a poetic flavor to this film and a haunting beauty that suits the dark nature of the questions being asked about life and death and forgiveness. i will focus on just two examples while in an alley scene and a change in lighting allows for certain elements of the set to come dramatically into focus and then to fade away once lighting returns to normal. it is an innovative means of conveying a shift in the `reality of the moment and and works beautifully. we are also allowed to see the interior of the character apartments  contrast the warm wood and bright colors and golden lighting and cluttered comfort of labraccio rooms with the stark and white void of nelson . both are reflective of the characters themselves. nelson lack of `objects reflect our lack of knowledge about his past. and his carefully constructed mask that keeps his companions at a distance. his past and we come to learn and is one of chaos and conflict. he has determined to leave that behind in favor of an uncluttered emptiness. unfortunately and the emptiness is also reflective of his relationships with others and a realization he comes to along his personal journey of self discovery in this film. flatliners is not your typical horror film. nor is a typical drama or suspense movie. it is rather more of an amalgamation of all and having the best elements of all genres intertwined in a complex and suspenseful plot. this is an ensemble piece and and the cast does an excellent job of breathing life into their individual characters. your immediate impression is that the characters are each representative of a well established tereotype represent the female ice queen and the slightly neurotic physician and the playboy and the socially conscious `nice guy etc. however and as the film progresses and the characters are further fleshed out and they take on multiple dimensions and depth. most interesting of all is sutherland character of nelson. nelson is not a character that is easy to like  indeed he is a bit of a btard and a master manipulator who definitely places self interest above all else. yet and sutherland plays him with a hint of insecurity that lends him a certain appeal. as events unfold and you come to realize that much of nelson unpleasant personality is a smokescreen and a protective mask behind which hides a very uncertain and vulnerable young man burdened by a terrible secret. by revealing bits and pieces of nelson complex personality throughout the film and the writers and directors and cast gradually lead you towards a greater understanding of and sympathy for him. the character who started out as a `jerk becomes important and valued in his own right  as you learn to `forgive his previous behavior in light of new information. your journey of discovery with nelson reflects the characters own journeys towards self understanding and as they too come to realize that everyone has value and and `everything we do matters. which leads to my final comment. although many of the posters here have picked up upon the theme of defying death. few seem to have touched upon what i see as the main premise of the movie  the importance of forgiveness and and the need to be cognizant of all you do and because it does `matter. 
i have been intending to write a review of this film for some time and but only now have i actually managed to get my thoughts down for the perusal of others. i never had the pleasure of seeing this film on the `big screen which is a shame and as it is often visually stunning and but i have revisited it on video numerous times over the years and enjoying it immensely every time. it definitely is on my personal list of favorite movies and and for more than just starring kiefer sutherland and kevin bacon and two of my `actors to watch. perhaps i appreciate this film so much because it appeals to my slightly off kilter taste in entertainment. i like my movies a bit left of center  unpredictable and fresh. and whether or not you `believe the story line of the film and you have to admit and it is different. everyone has different tastes and opinions and but my impression of some of the negative reviews of this movie is that the viewers never really saw past the surface level of this film. they got caught up in technicalities and `why would there be green lighting in a subway. or `why would medical students pull such a stupid stunt. and failed to see the artistry and psychological depth of the piece. yes and there are some medical and technical aspects that do not make logical sense and but if you are willing to suspend disbelief just a tad and this can be a very engaging film. first and a note about the artistic quality of the movie. some have complained about the murky lighting and and the illogical nature of the sets  but for me and the use of innovating lighting techniques and the plastic and sheet draped sets and the unusual settings in old buildings and dank and dripping tunnels and the use of statuary and rain and billowing curtains  all add a poetic flavor to this film and a haunting beauty that suits the dark nature of the questions being asked about life and death and forgiveness. i will focus on just two examples while in an alley scene and a change in lighting allows for certain elements of the set to come dramatically into focus and then to fade away once lighting returns to normal. it is an innovative means of conveying a shift in the `reality of the moment and and works beautifully. we are also allowed to see the interior of the character apartments  contrast the warm wood and bright colors and golden lighting and cluttered comfort of labraccio rooms with the stark and white void of nelson . both are reflective of the characters themselves. nelson lack of `objects reflect our lack of knowledge about his past. and his carefully constructed mask that keeps his companions at a distance. his past and we come to learn and is one of chaos and conflict. he has determined to leave that behind in favor of an uncluttered emptiness. unfortunately and the emptiness is also reflective of his relationships with others and a realization he comes to along his personal journey of self discovery in this film. flatliners is not your typical horror film. nor is a typical drama or suspense movie. it is rather more of an amalgamation of all and having the best elements of all genres intertwined in a complex and suspenseful plot. this is an ensemble piece and and the cast does an excellent job of breathing life into their individual characters. your immediate impression is that the characters are each representative of a well established tereotype represent the female ice queen and the slightly neurotic physician and the playboy and the socially conscious `nice guy etc. however and as the film progresses and the characters are further fleshed out and they take on multiple dimensions and depth. most interesting of all is sutherland character of nelson. nelson is not a character that is easy to like  indeed he is a bit of a btard and a master manipulator who definitely places self interest above all else. yet and sutherland plays him with a hint of insecurity that lends him a certain appeal. as events unfold and you come to realize that much of nelson unpleasant personality is a smokescreen and a protective mask behind which hides a very uncertain and vulnerable young man burdened by a terrible secret. by revealing bits and pieces of nelson complex personality throughout the film and the writers and directors and cast gradually lead you towards a greater understanding of and sympathy for him. the character who started out as a `jerk becomes important and valued in his own right  as you learn to `forgive his previous behavior in light of new information. your journey of discovery with nelson reflects the characters own journeys towards self understanding and as they too come to realize that everyone has value and and `everything we do matters. which leads to my final comment. although many of the posters here have picked up upon the theme of defying death. few seem to have touched upon what i see as the main premise of the movie  the importance of forgiveness and and the need to be cognizant of all you do and because it does `matter. ---------------------------------Answer Question Below----------------------------------

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