Code 3: Rainn Wilson stars in a Dramatic 9/11 Call for the Health Care System

By John Kirk

Rating: A

I don’t know about you, but stories about the average guy who’s just trying to do the right thing always resonate with me. Deep down, I think it’s a common way people see themselves.

Doing the right thing, in the face of adverse odds, is a virtue best developed under the worst of conditions.

That brings us to the paramedics of Code 3.

“Code 3” is the code that permits ambulances to drive with their lights on. Obviously, it’s an emergency situation and it still amazes me when I’m out on the road and I see am ambulance lit up and tearing down the street … and there’s always that one car that doesn’t get out of the way.

In Code 3, Randy (Rainn Wilson) is a paramedic who’s far past his time. When you consider that the expiry date on these 24-hour shift-working angels of the street is about five years, Randy’s 18 years in the back of a medic bus is nothing short of a miracle.

Which is what these guys are. First responders are unsung heroes. When a call comes in, they just don’t deal with medical emergencies, they also deal with social work situations like the war vets who’ve gone off their meds or homeless folks just trying to keep warm in the cold outdoors.

To top it off, they’re unappreciated by the police, abused by doctors and even by the public.

Randy’s had it. He’s burned out and fed up with the whole system and as he tries to educate his new student ride-along about the pitfalls, the lack of rewards and the crappy conditions that they work under, he is driven to find another job. Preferably, it’ll be one with a full lunch hour and will not require him to take chemo meds should he get spiked by another junkie’s dirty needle.

It’s a powerful dramatic story that makes one think. When you consider how little these first responders make and the life and death responsibilities thrust upon them for a 24-hour shift, it’s a staggering reflection on how broken the American medical system actually is.

Here’s an uncomfortable factoid from the film: American paramedics effectively make minimum wage. If so, then that’s another steaming penalty to add to the pile of unappreciation for these folk, who are first to the scene.

The frequent fourth-wall-breaks serve to form our relationship with Randy as he narrates this indictment against health care in the US. Why should these people stick around in a job that is so clearly needed by Americans yet so taken for granted? The seemingly endless string of human tragedies in this film and the professionalism and experience demonstrated by the workers in Ambulance 42 in this film make for a compelling and engaging story.

Wilson’s performance is thoughtful and moving. He shines when playing socially awkward characters, but in this case, his misanthropy isn’t comedic, but pitiable. Really – you just want to see Randy win one.

Of course, the question of will-he-quit is perpetually on the mind of the viewer. You want to see him stay in this vital role, but who can resist the temptation of a full lunch, being able to use the toilet at will or just simply not getting shot at? A nine-to-five job sounds like a breeze for this road war veteran.

Sadly, like the heroes this film salutes, my worry is that it’s likely that this film will also go under-appreciated. It has a mostly unknown cast, discounting Wilson and Yvette Nicole Brown as the most recognized names.

Despite the sterling performances of co-stars Aimee Carrero, Lil Rel Howery and Rob Riggle (who plays a thoroughly horrible and vicious ER Attending Physician), there isn’t a lot of glamour to get the first glance that this well-crafted and poignant film deserves.

It falls to folks like me to give it the acclaim that it needs. I hope it gets appreciated. Make sure you see this film.

CLICK HERE to read Bonnie Laufer’s interview with Aimee Carrero.

Code 3. Directed by Christopher Leone. Cast: Rainn Wilson, Yvette Nicole Brown, Lil Rel Howery, Aimee Carrero, Rob Riggle. Code 3 is released on VOD Friday, December 19.