John Q. details
| Formats: | 15 DVD, Blu-ray |
|---|---|
| Starring: | R, Denzel Washington, Kimberly Elise, James Woods, Anne Heche, Robert Duvall, Ray Liotta, Eddie Griffin, Shawn Hatosy, Kevin Connolly, Daniel E. Smith, Troy Winbush |
| Director: | Nick Cassavetes |
| Genre: | Drama - General |
| Studio: | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
John Q. |
15 Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 52 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 28 Oct 2002 |
| Main languages: | English |
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Most helpful review
Powerful enough to hide its weaknesses
By Gordon Walker from Northern Ireland , 08 Apr 2004[Highly rated reviewer]
An involving, beautifully acted, sometime manipulative issue film, 'John Q' is the story of a factory worker (Washington as John Archibald) whose son is suddenly struck down with heart disease. Given a choice between making little Mike comfortable until he dies and the risk of a heart transplant the distraught parents opt for the transplant confident that their medical insurance will pay for everything. However, John discovers to his horror that because recent downturns have left him working 20 hours a week his employer's policy classifies him as part time and only provides $20,000 dollars of cover. This won't even pay the $75,000 deposit required for surgery. Provoked by his inability to provide for his family or pay for his son's surgery John is driven to desperate measures when he takes the emergency room hostage and demands that his son be put on the transplant list.
Structurally this is an issue-of-the-week TV movie, what transforms it are the sterling performances of a very strong cast. Denzel Washington's portrayal of the tormented father is pitch perfect and Kimberly Elise, as his wife, maintains a nice balance, simultaneously demanding the impossible of her beleagered husband while still showing her love for him thus retaining our sympathy. Robert Duvall brings suitable gravitas to a light and somewhat underwritten part and James Wood manages to make something of his awkwardly written role as the heart surgeon. Anne Heche's character is the weakest link although this again can be ascribed in large measure to a script that makes her just a little too callous to be realistic.
Weak writing in the supporting characters notwithstanding the film works very well overall, hanging primarily on Washington's work which provides the believable dynamic behind the whole plot. The minor roles of the hostages, while somewhat cliched are carried off well and the pacing is very good.
Apart from an ending which was not quite what it could have been the film is very satisfying.- Was this review helpful to you?
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All reviews
(104)WEAK TITLE, WEAK FILM!
By nORMObAZZA (1247 reviews) , 20 Mar 2013This film is well intentioned, set up as it is to highlight and comment on America's lack of a National Health Service and the potential pitfalls of a private health care system. Unfortunately, it rapidly descends into the ridiculous and is left as an amalgam of just about every other 'human interest' film WASHINGTON has ever done.- Was this review helpful to you?
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too obvious?
By jwow (1 review) , 11 Mar 2013This film is very mawkish and achingly predictable so that it becomes boring. The film is set up so that it can only end in one way. The characters are so 2 dimensional that you feel forced to feel a certain way.- Was this review helpful to you?
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heartbreaking, a must see
By haylesbaylespigstales (130 reviews) from Fleetwood , 22 Jan 2013heartbreaking story &very true i would imagine, fantastic performance from denzel washington.
would hate to be in that position, I know I'd do the same!!!!- Was this review helpful to you?
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EMOTIONALLY MOVING
By a customer , 03 Sep 2012Fantastic,simply that.
The acting is top notch,compared with a lot of this straight to dvd stuff that unfortunatly gets churned out today.
Denzel is brilliant,and who wouldn't go to some lengths for there own children,in the heartless world he found himself.
I was truly touched by the story,and it really had you feeling very much for Denzil.
Only got into his films in last few months,and is slowly becoming one of my favourite actors.
Emotional,Empthatic,everything you'd expect for this type of a film.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Today Sesame Street Is Brought To You By The Letter...
By bugarson (46 reviews) from Chelmsford , 13 Jul 2012Denzel doesnt dissapoint. A good story and enjoyable tense film. Not too dark to be thought provoking and depressing, and not to light to be comlete popcorn fodder. A happy middle ground.- Was this review helpful to you?
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