It came and went in the theaters without notice. Mainly because it followed on the heels of Denzel’s Academy Award winning performance in Training Day. But this 10 Kleenex tear-jerker is one not to be missed. Director, Nick Cassavetes does an admirable job of walking the line between heart-warming drama, and pure schmaltz. Every now and then he crosses that thin line, but he can be forgiven, because the result is pure movie magic.
Mr. Cassavetes, an actor in his own right, having had roles in, The Astronaut’s wife, Face/Off, A Woman Under The Influence, and quite a few others, understands the wisdom of allowing actors to find their own center. Denzel Washington turns in a very centered, focused and credible performance as John Q.
The script, written by veteran TV writer, James Kearns. ( Highway To Heaven, Jake and The Fat Man) is a well-written dissection and indictment of the ’’American dream’’. Cassavetes uses every frame carefully to examine what has become a familiar fate of too many of us, who work hard every day, walk a straight line, try to do the right and honorable thing, but somehow become victims of the very system we support.
Denzel Washington plays John Quincy Archibold, a blue-collar worker who is, like so many of us, trying to make ends meet. His hours at work have been cut in half, due to a slow down in production. Within the first 20 minutes of the film, he runs outside to find his wife’s car being towed, repossessed for non-payment. But he is what they commonly refer to as a ’’good man’’ - A family man, once trying to get his slice of the pie, now simply trying to hold onto the few crumbs he’s been thrown.
Early on it is made clear that while he has serious financial problems, he has a strong family unit, consisting of him, his wife, Denise, played by Kimberly Elyse, and his 10 year old son, played by Daniel Smith. Though the script doesn’t quite give Elyse or Smith’s characters enough exposition, Smith shines bright as a young athlete, little leaguer, and bodybuilding enthusiast. His scenes in the hospital are so real they are gut-wrenching to watch.
THE PLOT:
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The story unfolds as Michael collapses at a Little League game while running the bases. Once hospitalized, the Archibolds learn their son is suffering from a genetic heart defect. As explained by the chief surgeon, James Woods, and the hospital administrator, Ann Heche, his heart is 3 times the size of a child his age. Not only is there no cure, but if he is to live, he will need a heart transplant.
Ann Heche is very effective as the heartless, bottom-line = money, hospital administrator, who explains without emotion, that John’s medical insurance will not cover the cost of such an expensive operation. Her suggestion is to take him home and make him comfortable for the short time he has left. The hospital, though making mega-millions off heart transplants, does not do charity work. And there is very little chance the public hospital has enough clout to get his son the heart, or the operation before it’s too late. Besides, we learn, HMO’s actually reward doctors and hospitals for withholding costly health procedures, even at the expense of the lives they are there to protect.
James Woods plays a very stereotypical role as a renowned heart surgeon, who seems more interested in playing golf and making a name for himself, rather than saving lives. He cares, but years of fame and money have dimmed his memory of the Hippocratic oath. Of course, in the end, he rediscovers why he became a doctor in the first place. (A little too pat)
After discovering his medical benefits have been reduced due to a reduction in his hours, which has now made him a part-time employee, he does all he can to raise the money needed. Neighbors donate what little they can, John sells everything in his rented home that isn’t part of the structure itself, even the family truck, and still it’s not enough. After receiving a call from his wife, telling him that despite the $22, 000 he has given the hospital ($250, 000 is needed) they are about to release his son - To send him home to die, John does what must be hard for any moral man, but easy for any devoted parent to do.
Pushed to the very limit by the system he has upheld all of his life, and unable to reason with the chief heart surgeon, John Q. brandishes a gun (we learn later it’s not loaded), takes the surgeon, and a few other colorful characters hostage. He cordons off the hospital emergency room. In the process, he gets the attention of the news media, earns the respect of the hostages, as well as the police hostage negotiator, played by Robert Duvall. Ray Liotta is also on board as the police chief ( A small pivotal role). Eddie Griffin is amusing and yet believable as one of the hostages.
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I won’t spoil it by telling the ending, but while predictable, John Q is a good movie, if only for the chance to watch some very good actors, turn in some solid, though not exceptional performances. At times the movie has a soap opera feel, but the sad reality of it all is, situations like this are happening in this country more often than we’d like to believe.
John Q, is a apt title - We are all John Q. Public - Helpless servants to a system that demands our loyalty, and too often, like a faithless lover, leaves us high and dry when we need them most.
Is it a great movie? NO. But in these times of movies propelled by mega-million dollar special effects, outer space aliens, car chases, shoot ’em ups, and pure trash, it’s a welcome change. Rent it or buy it, and keep the Kleenex handy - You will need it!