‘A Mistake’ Review: Surgeon Elizabeth Banks Gets Blamed for a Patient’s Death in an Effective Drama on Medical Ethics

As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless filmmakers, I must say that Christine Jeffs’ return to the big screen with “A Mistake” is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. Having followed her career since her debut with “Rain,” it’s heartening to see her tackling complex themes once again. The film’s focus on medical ethics and bureaucracy in the context of New Zealand, as adapted from Carl Shuker’s novel, is both intriguing and thought-provoking.

Sixteen years have passed since Christine Jeffs last directed “Sunshine Cleaning,” a seriocomic Amerindie sleeper featuring Amy Adams and Emily Blunt. Her latest film, titled “A Mistake,” mirrors her 2001 debut, “Rain,” in that it is based in New Zealand and is adapted from a book by a Kiwi author (specifically Carl Shuker’s fifth novel). While not a blockbuster, Jeffs’ return to directing showcases her aptitude for creating intelligent adult dramas. In this movie, the central theme revolves around medical ethics and bureaucracy, with Elizabeth Banks portraying an Auckland surgeon whose reputation and career are at risk following a patient’s death during what was believed to be a routine procedure. The film, which premiered at Tribeca, will be released in over 100 U.S. theaters this Friday by Quiver Distribution.

During a particularly long night shift, renowned doctor Elizabeth Taylor (Banks) is abruptly awakened by an urgent situation: A patient who was earlier deemed to have minor issues has returned with intense abdominal pain, necessitating immediate surgery. Contrary to the appendicitis initially suspected, it’s discovered that Lisa (Acacia O’Connor) is battling a rapid-spreading infection from septicemia instead. Guiding registrar Richard (Richard Crouchley) through the operation, she allows him to independently place a gas port into the abdomen. Despite his initial mishap that ruptured an artery, they manage to complete the surgery successfully, with hopes that the patient has been saved from imminent danger. Regrettably, Lisa later succumbs to a fatal cardiac arrest in the ICU.

Since the seriousness of the young woman’s health issue hadn’t been noticed earlier, Liz believes Richard’s mistake wasn’t what directly caused her death – factors beyond the control of those in the operating room led to the patient’s demise. To shield the trainee from blame, however, the doctor initially conceals his error.

However, the troubled parents (Rena Owen and Matthew Sunderland) are dissatisfied with the explanation provided for their daughter’s death and demand accountability. This need for answers coincides with the hospital implementing new policies, requiring surgical outcomes to be publicly disclosed in the name of transparency. Liz expresses concern that this will expose surgeons unfairly, as it could simplify complex, critical decisions made during emergencies into simple online ratings. This stance places her at odds with the arrogant hospital administrator Andrew (Simon McBurney), who appears more than ready to sacrifice Liz when the parents take their complaints to the tabloid media.

In Jeff’s film, the methodical approach may give the impression that the script is burdened with under-explored themes. It appears that the filmmaker prioritizes portraying the heroine’s growing sense of isolation and frustration over creating tension. Apart from Andrew acknowledging her as “absolutely brilliant,” Liz faces numerous challenges, such as dealing with Richard’s escalating anxiety, betrayal from her girlfriend Robin (Mickey Sumner), who withdraws both professionally and personally when trouble arises, having to unexpectedly look after her sister’s dog, and a home infested with insects, adding to her stress.

Though well-acted, the subsidiary characters lack much depth or context, so the pileup of crises they generate feels a bit hollow. Even our protagonist could use a tad more detailing. In the source novel, Dr. Taylor is apparently an edgier, more intimidatingly driven figure, which would help sharpen some of the conflicts here. But while she easily convinces as a scrupulously high-minded professional, Banks is such a warm, empathetic performer that the trials Liz endures feel more contrived than they might’ve otherwise. That also has a reductive effect on her adversarial relationship with Andrew, who in McBurney’s turn comes off as a one-dimensional villain, sneeringly misogynistic and hypocritical. Perhaps we’re meant to assume he resents her as a natural superior, but Banks remains too likable to elucidate such spite. The medical jargon deployed can also be a bit of a hurdle, dense enough that lay viewers may be unclear just what happened to poor Lisa — is her death anyone’s fault?

Although there are some minor issues, the movie “A Mistake” remains intriguing. The subdued tone that actress Jeff maintains from her previous films (such as 2003’s “Sylvia,” where she played Sylvia with Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig as Plath and Hughes) may not add much intensity to the thriller elements of the story. However, it does effectively draw our attention back to the mind of a shrewd yet troubled female lead character who is facing increasing internal and external turmoil.

In her notable dramatic roles such as “Love & Mercy” and “Call Jane,” Banks convincingly plays characters who subtly motivate teamwork instead of commanding it, but are firm when confronted with overt injustice – culminating in a powerful speech aimed at the despicable Andrew. Following a second encounter with Lisa’s parents that carries significant emotional weight, the film “A Mistake” concludes with an extended scene that falls short of delivering the intended emotional release. Despite its flaws, this drama remains compelling as it delves into the intricate moral dilemmas of the medical field, demonstrating how decisions of life and death can be far more intricately complex for those directly involved than they may seem from an external perspective.

The movie adopts an understated, modern aesthetic reminiscent of institutional spaces, with every design and technical element seamlessly contributing to this style. A subtle yet moving orchestral score by Frank Ilfman is one of the more expressive features, avoiding excessive emotional drama.

2024-09-20 23:18

‘A Mistake’ Review: Surgeon Elizabeth Banks Gets Blamed for a Patient’s Death in an Effective Drama on Medical Ethics

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