An effective and involving documentary feature.

| Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 5, 2020

Code Black makes the case that ... health care in America is on life support, but it doesn't offer much hope for a cure.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jul 18, 2019

While unbalanced, Code Black provides a fascinating look into the heightened drama of emergency medicine.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Mar 28, 2019

Code Black serves as a reality check of life in a County Hospital, dealing with hot-button issues that may never fully get resolved, but it's the planting of the seed that we, the audience, can make a difference.

| Nov 8, 2018

As a film, Code Black has some flaws. Among these is the second-rate sound design (and) the amateur directing. Without expert direction, sequences outside of the hospital setting come across as forced and artificial.

| Jun 20, 2017

Real-life ER doctors crafted this superb documentary as a cry for help. Our U.S. healthcare system is about to break down. 'Code Black' stands for an overflowing waiting room.

| Original Score: 5/5 | May 29, 2016

"Code Black" is "ER" on steroids.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Nov 12, 2015

Amazing, edifying look at ground zero of urban health care

| Jun 12, 2015

Like most documentary makers addressing the health care crisis, McGarry can't begin to get his arms around the whole problem; this works best as a highly subjective account of a small portion of it.

| Sep 12, 2014

...most satisfying when concentrating on the here and now-this patient needs this procedure now-and works less well when it tries to take on bigger issues.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Sep 4, 2014

It sticks halos (probably well-deserved) atop the heads of its doctors, it goes for poignant moments without being all that poignant and ends up bemoaning without seriously suggesting any concrete paths to improvement.

| Original Score: C+ | Aug 22, 2014

Code Black appeals to our better natures while remaining aware of the money needed to let those better natures reign. It makes a strong case.

| Original Score: A- | Aug 15, 2014

A worthy but uneven testament to those who work to save some of the many still excluded from a social safety net that never seems to expand fast enough.

| Original Score: B- | Aug 1, 2014

A must-see for anyone concerned about the state of health care in this country. Which should be all of us.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 1, 2014

"Code Black" shows the passion, frustration, and skill of those who work to heal despite the system, but it remains in the dark about why that system is broken and how it can be fixed.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 31, 2014

Code Black is a riveting document despite its tendency to jackrabbit around in its themes and personalities.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 31, 2014

The film refuses polemic, grants access, and mostly steers clear of the heartstrings in its effort to humanize those on both sides of the institutional front line.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 30, 2014

"Code Black" presents itself as a demonstration of the current crisis in health care, and it's hard to watch without becoming enraged.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 24, 2014

Impactful documentary.

Full Review | Jul 18, 2014

Provides an incredibly intense, and genuinely moving, glimpse into the operation of one of the nation's premier emergency medical facilities.

| Original Score: B | Jul 17, 2014