John Q (2002)
Genre: Drama / Thriller
Duration: 116 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Nick Cassavetes
Stars: Denzel Washington, Robert Duvall and Ray Liotta
IMDb score:
7,1 (146.221)
Releasedate: 15 February 2002
John Q plot
"Give a father no options and you leave him no choice."
John Q. Archibald is a hardworking worker who forms a close-knit family with his wife Denise and son Mike. Despite their dire financial situation, they just manage to keep their heads above water. But then Mike becomes seriously ill. He can only survive with a donor heart. However, John Q. cannot afford the procedure and his insurance company does not want to help him either. At his wits' end, John takes the hospital emergency room hostage out of sheer desperation.
Actors and actresses
John Quincy Archibald
Dr. Raymond Turner
Denise Archibald
Lt. Frank Grimes
Mitch Quigley
Lester Matthews
Steve Maguire
Guard Max Conlin
Chief Gus Monroe
Rebecca Payne
Reviews & comments
Fisico (moderator films)
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- 9504 messages
- 5173 votes
Seen it a long time ago, but after so many years it was a bit disappointing. A film that does not shy away from sentiment and even emphasizes it even more. Also a film that puts the American healthcare system on the mend, where the gap between the have and the have-nots is expressed. The many legal and administrative loopholes of insurance companies are also reviewed, but do not really make much of an impression.
The hostage situation itself - despite a fine Washington - actually makes very little impression and lacks tension and conviction. Also calling for revenge that the other star cast with Duvall, Liotta, Heche and Woods can hardly get into their game.
Film steeped in Hollywood drama so I couldn't sympathize with the characters how unfair the system is. Built up a bit too cliché with a bad cop, a media-hungry journalist, a teddy bear father, an ice cold hospital director and a happy ending. The subplot with the donor should also have been omitted.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Peter Pan
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- 250 messages
- 588 votes
A good drama film with a good structure and a clear message. In many scenes a very clear movie story, which is often just a bit "too", but enough tension and catchy enough to suck you into the film.
Besides Denzel Washington a decent cast with Duvall, Woods and Liotta, but despite that you are not blown away by the acting performance of that trio, just normally nothing special.
If the lead were played by any actor, this would be a great movie at around 3/3.5*, but will probably also be forgotten.
But when you see Denzel Washington play it's something else.... What a great acting job to see!
How very good can this man convey emotions! Despair, sadness, angry, joy, it doesn't matter what he puts down, it's so believable that sometimes it really grabs you by the throat (and not just in this film).
Denzel (for me) makes this "fine" movie a top movie!
8
4*
Translated from Dutch · View original
clairest
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- 215 messages
- 460 votes
Although I had already read some of your posts and opinions before I decided to watch this film, it had not yet occurred to me that this is a hostage drama in the emergency room of a hospital, in the midst of all emergency cases, where the aid is hindered and everyone is threatened. An idiotic situation, where the hostage-taker is celebrated as a hero in the film. Totally unbelievable that the hostages get great admiration for the hostage-taker and start discussing the health care reimbursement system in the US with each other.
What I especially learned when reading through opinions: complaints about false sentiment, that Denzel does play well in itself, and a misplaced happy ending.
I don't see false sentiment in this film, but idiotic sentiment. The main character goes on into violence, it is completely irrational. I absolutely cannot sympathize with that. Denzel is playing a madman in my opinion.
It's great that people want to make a point in a film about the health care system in the US, but I couldn't enjoy the way in which it was done.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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