Whose Life Is It Anyway? (1981)

Based on the Broadway play by Brian Clark, director John Badham's dramatic, biting picture stars Richard Dreyfuss as Ken Harrison, a happily married sculptor who is forced to confront life and death after he is paralyzed in an auto accident. Unable to face his future as a quadraplegic, Ken demands that his doctor's let him die, refusing to accept the possibilty of a meaningful life dependent on hospital life-support. His own doctor (Christine Lahti) does eveything in her power to engage Ken's bitter mind, but he remains firm in his decision, presenting his caregivers with a painful dilemma. When the hospital authorities and head doctor (John Cassavetes) refuse to end Ken's life he takes the hospital to court, fighting for his own right to die. This moving and often darkly comic exploration of the politics of euthanasia thoughtfully examines the moral and ethical dilemma presented by the practice, as well as the powerless position of patients who are unable to fight for their own personal rights. Richard Dreyfuss is an emotional powerhouse in a role where he was unable to use his body for character development. He brings raw and painful emotions to the screen. An outstanding supporting cast features Christine Lahti and John Cassavetes.