Article 99 (released in theaters on March 13, 1992) is a fiercely energetic medical drama that blends the frantic pacing of ER with the rebellious, anti-authoritarian spirit of MASH*. Directed by Howard Deutch, the film is a searing indictment of bureaucratic neglect within the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital system.
It portrays a world where “Article 99” refers to a catch-22: a legal loophole stating that a veteran is eligible for treatment unless the treatment is for a pre-existing condition- which, in a VA hospital, is almost always the case.
The film is a stylish, often darkly comedic tribute to those who work within broken systems to do the right thing.
The story follows Dr. Richard Sturgess (Ray Liotta), a brilliant but rogue heart surgeon who leads a secret “guerrilla” medical team at a crumbling VA hospital in Kansas City.
Sturgess and his colleagues, including the idealistic Dr. Peter Morgan (Kiefer Sutherland), the dedicated Dr. Sid Handleman (Forest Whitaker), and the sharp-witted Dr. Rudy Bobrick (John C. McGinley), routinely steal supplies and perform unauthorized surgeries to save patients who have been “Article 99-ed” out of the system.
Their primary antagonist is the hospital’s cold, budget-conscious administrator, Dr. Henry Shooter (John Mahoney), who is more concerned with paperwork and austerity that patient outcomes.
The doctors’ crusade is supported by a compassionate nurse (Lea Thompson) and a determined social worker (Kathy Baker), while they fight to provide care for aging veterans like the defiant Sam Abrams (Eli Wallach) and Luther Jermoe (Keith David).
As Morgan, a newcomer looking for a prestigious career, is pulled into Sturgess’s underground movement, the hospital becomes a literal battleground.
When the administration threatens to shut down their unsanctioned operations, the doctors and veterans stage a full-scale revolt, leading to a high-stakes standoff that forces a national spotlight on the hidden plight of America’s heroes.
Noble Willingham, Troy Evans, Lynne Thigpen and Jeffrey Tambor round out the cast.
Article 99 (Photo/Orion Pictures)
Reception for Article 99
Article 99 grossed $2.5 million on its opening weekend, finishing sixth at the box office.
The film would gross $6.4 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
Article 99 has enduring reputation as a rare Hollywood film that addresses the systemic failures of veteran healthcare with both outrage and humor.
The film is celebrated for its kinetic cinematography and its ability to balance slapstick medical antics with genuinely heart-wrenching dramatic moments.
