Rescue Me: The Complete First Season
by Adam Bernstein, Jace Alexander, John Fortenberry, Peter Tolan
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Actor: Denis Leary, Jack McGee, James McCaffrey, Michael Lombardi, Steven PasqualeDirector: Adam Bernstein, Jace Alexander, John Fortenberry, Peter Tolan
Brand: Sony
Writer: Denis Leary
Writer: John Scurti
Writer: Peter Tolan
Writer: Michael Caleo
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.78:1
Running Time: 594 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-06-07
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Product features:
- Condition: Used, Very Good
- Format: DVD
- Box set; Closed-captioned; Color; Dolby; DVD; Widescreen; NTSC
DVD Reviews of Rescue Me: The Complete First Season
DVD Review: I'm a fireman. We're not in the business of making heroes here.
Summary: 4 Stars
After that dreadful day I believe I began preparing myself. While neighbors and friends found themselves running to hardware stores to locate the life-saving duct tape, I found myself bracing for a rippling predestined cinematic event that was undoubtedly result from that historic day. While filmmakers from all walks of life spoke out about the creation of such films that would remember that day, we all knew it was coming. Human tragedy sparked with a highly skeptical political agenda, what director wouldn't touch it!? So, I waited. It took several years, but it seems as if the flood doors have opened and those like Spike Lee, Michael Moore, and even the great Oliver Stone all have something to share post September 11th. That event has even quietly snuck into our television circuit with overly dramatic made-for-TV movies and modern pop culture television shows paying their own homage, but none have come close to giving us a truthful depiction of those facing life after the towers fell. That is ... until Rescue Me was released.
While I can see the argument made by those who are actual FDNY that this show is nothing but pure drivel, this self-proclaimed film critic couldn't keep his eyes off the amazing performances, the detailed story, and the spirituality of it all. For those unfamiliar, read the synopsis. Comedian Denis Leary tones himself down a bit to play the role of Tommy Gavin, an Irish American forced to cope with life after watching two fellow friends and firefighters die during 9/11. While it is obvious that Leary is the headliner of this show, it is his fellow firefighters that really bring together the meat of the stories. Leary is interesting to watch. His developing story about being able to see those that have died is adventurous, but it is those smaller stories centered around those characters like the Probe, Kenny, friendship of Franco and Sean, as well as the disastrous Chief Jerry Reilly that keep your attention longer. With a strong cast in place, the story does not have to take us to fires everyday, but instead focus' deeper within the lives of these men, all coping with loss of their brothers on that day in September.
What makes Rescue Me stand out, and what I can only applaud the FX channel for, is going as dark as they did with the series. As I began Rescue Me, I was not prepared for the level of chemistry between the cast and the emotional darkness that seemingly engulfed each episode. Not only were you dealing with Leary's "on again, off again" alcoholism, his visions of ghosts in his house, his relationship with his cousin's widow, but you also had a Chief with a gambling addiction, a father trying to discover his youth, and a new firefighter just trying to survive in the city that never sleeps. Rescue Me reminded me of a male version of Sex and the City. There was plenty of comedy genuinely mixed with raw talent and emotion. You could not help but feel sympathy for all the characters involved because they felt very real. While some moments were overly exaggerated for television, I did feel that Rescue Me did a decent job of keeping its feet well planted and powerfully secured.
If I were to complain about this series, there would only be two elements that nearly filled my eyes with rage. The first was the possible switch of brothers surrounding Leary. Leary has a brother that is part of the NYPD, and in several of the early episodes he is played by Dean Winters (of Oz fame), but strangely as the series progresses, we are introduced to a new brother without any explanation. Not a good transition. Hopefully we will get to see Winters again, he always plays a snarled character ... and I love it! The second was the obvious "pro-American" moments that seemed forced throughout the series. I realize that a central part of the series was to show how powerful, human, and dedicated these brave fighters were, but there were just a handful of scenes that could have been omitted with grace. One that first comes to mind is near the end when the team is walking away from a bar and stop to view the NY City lights. Talk of the towers with the memorial come into the scene and it overall just felt forced and a bit cliché. Outside of this, there was very very very little to complain about this series.
Overall, I thought Rescue Me was a bold new show that wasn't afraid to push the television envelope. I think that Leary compliments his humor with real situations and honest emotion. You cannot keep your eyes off the rest of the cast. It is everyone in the firehouse that makes this show as successful as I witnessed. The implementation of a female firefighter seemed fitting and bold as the season began to close, and I especially liked where the Probe's story was headed. The FX has a powerful show with some amazing creativity, I only hope they nurture it further instead of attempting to exploit it. While most will say that Rescue Me is a very chauvinistic male-driven show, I thought it had colorful, yet addictive, storytelling with amazing characters. This was a great blend of drama, comedy, and hot, piping slices of NYC!
Grade: **** out of *****
Description of Rescue Me: The Complete First Season
Follows the lives of New York City firefighters of Engine 62 in a post-9/11 world.Genre: Television
Rating: NR
Release Date: 7-JUN-2005
Media Type: DVD
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