I Watch Films: Code 3

 

Code 3

Randy is a paramedic on an ambulance in Los Angeles. In blackly comic terms he explains what being a paramedic is about, by demonstration; in conversation with his partner Mike; his boss Shanice; we the audience; and two different ride-alongs, who he is showing what being a paramedic is and thus discouraging them. To Randy’s surprise he’s offered another job, and so the majority of the film is his final 24 hour shift. This is quite grim, many of the people unable to be helped, some who they expect to live die, there are regulars who they see a lot and never get better.

It's also very funny. At one point they’re in a diner and some women at the next table ask what the worst thing they’ve seen is. Randy then leads us to a car that has crashed, and explains that there’s a child in there, and that he can’t unsee this. And then they flash back to tell a grotesque dead baby joke to the women.

This of course gets used later in the climactic car accident sequence, when they’re trying to help someone who has come out of the car, and they call for their child, and the shot of the car is exactly the same as the one Randy showed us during the worst thing he’s seen bit.

Somehow this confection, this mixture of styles and approaches, the dark jokes and darker drama all works. If this film is a little pleased with itself, if it thinks it is very clever to make a serious point, an action film, a comedy and something strange and dark between all those, well I think it’s earned it.

Watch This: Razor sharp paramedic comedy with much to say about the worst days of people’s lives
Don’t Watch This: Gruesome, breakneck, often in bad taste.