Vital Signs (1990)

50% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
33% of users liked it
(1,041 ratings)

Marisa Silver helmed this tightly directed hospital drama reminiscent of David Swift's 1962 The Interns. Jimmy Smits plays Dr. David Redding, who guides seven student doctors through their third year of residency at Los Angeles Central's medical school. The cast includes Laura San Giacomo as Lauren… More Marisa Silver helmed this tightly directed hospital drama reminiscent of David Swift's 1962 The Interns. Jimmy Smits plays Dr. David Redding, who guides seven student doctors through their third year of residency at Los Angeles Central's medical school. The cast includes Laura San Giacomo as Lauren Rose, a hard-working waitress putting her uncaring husband Kenny (Jack Gwaltney) through medical school; Kenny eventually breaks down the resistance of cool fellow student Gena Wyler (Diane Lane). Kenny is also competing with doctor's son Michael Chatham (Adrian Pasdar), who wants to become the best surgeon at L.A. Central; Michael, however, has to reconsider his goals when he realizes that he also needs Gena's love. Bobby Hayes (Tim Ransom) and Suzanne Maloney (Jane Adams) are also struggling with medical school, but they are a support team who study, work, and even sleep together. Through all the competitions and love affairs it eventually takes the wisdom of a dying cancer patient (Norma Aleandro) to make the medical students realize the important things in life. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Marisa Silver
Written By: Larry Ketron, Jeb Stuart
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Apr 13, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Jun 7, 2005

Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
A seriously familiar and entirely predictable tale of young doctors in love.

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Cast

            Adrian Pasdar as Michael Chatham

            Diane Lane as Gina Wyler

            Jimmy Smits as Dr. David Redding

            Norma Aleandro as Henrietta

            Jack Gwaltney as Kenny Rose

            Laura San Giacomo as Lauren Rose

            Jane Adams (II) as Suzanne Maloney

            Tim Ransom as Bobby Hayes

            Bradley Whitford as Dr. Ballentine

            Christine Avila as Non-Clown Nurse

            Billy Bacon as Swimmer

            Steve Bean as OB-GYN Intern

            Paul Carlton Bryant as Pharmacist

            Stanley de Santis as Loan Officer

            William Devane as Dr. Chatham

            Ellaraino as Phone Nurse

            Karen Fineman as Julie

            Mary Pat Gleason as Rotunda Woman

            Claudia Harrington as Pregnant Woman

            Charlie Hawke as Swimmer

            Grant Heslov as Rick

            Telma Hopkins as Dr. Kennan

            Craig Hosking as Helicopter Pilot

            Seth Isler as Male Resident

            Lou Saint James as Redding's Paramedic

            James Karen as Dean of Students

            Kenia Brown as Rita

            Enid Kent as Vivian

            Lei Kim as Dr. Chen

            Wallace Langham as Gant

            Donna Lynn Leavy as Cynthia

            Jeanne Mori as Billy's Nurse

            Rob Neukirch as Rita's Resident

            Joan Newlin as E.R. Nurse

            Lisa Jane Persky as Bobby

            Doug Robinson as Competing Swimmer

            Laurie Souza as Mother

            Angelo Tiffe as George

            Myra Turley as Henrietta's IV Nurse

            Gigi Vorgan as Nell

            Perla Walter as Hispanic Woman

            Rose Weaver as Henrietta's Night Nurse

            Vicki Winters as Hospital Employee

            Dan Ziskie as Dr. Kelly

            Jay Arlen Jones as Paramedic

            Matthew Thompson as Billy
See full cast