Hmm - some of the acting seem stronger on the stage version... although I came to the Broadway DVD cold - so the screenplay version helped flesh out what was going on in terms of establishing shots, transitions and locations.
Also - it does seem as though the bass playing was stronger on the screenplay... and I must admit, I think cinematically.
One thing that the film does *wrong* though, and the Broadway version does better, is when Mimi flatlines. In the screenplay, it appears that there was no attempt to get paramedics rolling, even though there was an advanced tuberculosis case, spiralling down rapidly, who needed urgent ACLS and ICU care. At least on stage, one of the characters is calling 999 (yeah, OK - 911 - but I'm British)...
I was screaming "GET HER SHOULDERS UP!" and was aware of all the old first-aid training kicking in - the acting was that strong in the stage production.
It surprised me, in NOT a good way, that Mimi in the screenplay sat bolt upright and belted... rather than a weaker voice, and already having paramedics there stabilising her.
Did Mimi flatline for a moment? If so WHY THE HELL WAS SOMEONE NOT DOING COMPRESSIONS?
That was the type of question I was asking...
Shows the strength of the acting..
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ElizabethSkywalker
13 years ago
...even though there was an advanced tuberculosis case
Not tuberculosis, AIDS combined with hypothermia and possibly a drug OD. Though I suspect the treatment is the same. As for the paramedics -- it's the inner city USA. I once saw a woman in a large Midwestern city who had collapsed on the sidewalk. It took 14 minutes from the time my companion called 911 for an ambulance to show up, and it was clearly
not a paramedic ambulance. And I'm pretty sure one of the woman's relatives had called 911 before we did.
~*~
Angels and ministers of mercy, God help us all -- to get this scene.
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