Rating: 
Summary: 'John Q' Quite the Movie
Review: I read several reviews by professional critics, all of which called this movie a failure. What do they know? I just returned from seeing "John Q" and I was totally blown away. Three stars is a great review from me, considering I think there are only a handful of films that deserve more than that. (Some of which being "Saving Private Ryan", "Braveheart" or "The Lord of the Rings".) Those films all received five stars, and "John Q" is almost bordering on that. Denzel Washington is amazing as always, and though I've seen him in very few movies, I've never once been disappointed. He can play anything, and his role as a caring father in this film was enough to make me want to rate this three stars alone. But once you throw in solid dialogue, a great plot and other supporting actors, you have yourself one truly great movie. I was disappointed by one aspect of this movie: the fact that it wasn't released earlier, because Washington surely would've received an Oscar nomination for this instead of "Training Day". It's hard to not like this movie and impossible to not feel for the characters. I'll see this movie again and I hope that by reading this review you'll see it too. Maybe it'll send Hollywood a message that you don't need, (and I stress that don't), a movie based on special effects and more bullets fired than words spoken. Though this film deals with a hostage situation, only one bullet is fired in the entire movie, not a noticeable special effects shot--save Mike's open chest towards the end--and it makes it a more solid film because of it. Go see "John Q": it rhymes with two, the number of thumbs I'm holding in the air right now. Thanks for reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Very sad and very powerful
Review: A son who has a hearfailur that needs a doner for a heart transplant. A father in tears and will stop
at nothing to get his son a heart transplan. Jon Q is a truly a power full film. I cant say its the best movie ever made but its a great and yet sad film. The drama and emotions that get you in this movie will deeply get you into some what ways of sadness. This movie was a great role for denzel.
The movie look more like an R rating than pg 13. Than again they probably edited out some parts to get it a PG-13 intentiannaly. This is a great film to watch but not for those who get sad emotions easily.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece of Moving Emotions That Touch Your Soul
Review: John Q is a masterpiece about a father who's son goes into heart failure. Left broke and no options left he can't afford the expense for the donor's list he snaps. Left with no options he goes onto the edge. Risking his life in jail or death he continously goes through his plan.A captivating story about one father's determination to keep his son alive As his son's life hangs in the balance. An emotional story you will want to experince again and again!Denzel Washington was truely destined to play this role. Therefor John Q is the best movie i've seen in years.
Rating: 
Summary: Good acting, bad script.....
Review: Denzel Washington seems incapable of giving anything short of a great performance. He can be tough, scared, or tender, as the moment requires and this movie requires him to be all three. He plays a man who is devoted to his family and who is frustrated because the reduced hours of his job have caused a family financial crisis. When his son collapses on the baseball field because of a serious heart condition, John Q. (Washington) discovers that his insurance coverage has been reduced and will not cover a required heart transplant. After exhausting all the legal means at his disposal, John Q. takes over the hospital at gun-point and demands that his son be given a heart. The script then begins to spiral into melodrama and it becomes somewhat preachy. The message of poor health care for lower-income people may be legitimate, but it is presented in a heavy-handed manner. Despite these flaws, there are some tender and some tense moments in the film. Watching Denzel Washington is worth the price of admission.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Try; No Cigar
Review: The quick shot of the lamentable Hilary Clinton at the end of this epic gave the whole thing away--A Libber hatchet job on the American health care system. When appealing to the lowest common denominator intellect--Democrat voters--all it takes are easy targets and some hearts and flowers, all of which are in ample abundance in this movie. Knuckledomes and Kerry devotees will eat it up. All others, stay away.
Rating:
Summary: Health Insurance for Everyone. Not!
Review: I saw this movie at school and we had a discussion afterwards on health care in America. Health care in America is very inadequate to those that are in dire need of insurance. Denzel played a devoted father and husband whose son needed a heart transplant and wasn't able to get one unless he had money. His coverage could barely pay for the transplant and he was in desparation to get his son on the donor list. He hijacks a hospital and is a sensation.
The health care industry is run by a bunch of bureaucrats who care more about putting money in their pockets than they do about treating people. I am single with no dependents and have no health care coverage. I work part-time and go to school full-time. The health care industry goes against those that have children and those that don't.
Rating:
Summary: Denzel Washington's best performance of his career!!
Review: "John Q" is a film that is nothing short of powerful or emotional. It is such a great film that I would instantly see it again in a heartbeat! And Denzel Washington's performance just couldn't be better! In fact, New Line Cinema has picked the right actor for this film! "John Q" tells the story of John Q. Archibald (Washington), a factory worker and loving husband to his wife Denise (Kimberly Elise, "Set It Off") and loving father to his son Michael (Daniel E. Smith). During a little league baseball game one day, Michael collapses on the baseball field and is rushed to the hospital immediately. While at the hospital, the Archibalds meet with hospital chair member Rebecca Payne (Anne Heche) and Dr. Raymond Turner (James Woods). The two doctors discuss Mike's condition to them and they concluded that Mike needed a heart transplant or that Mike would surely die. Although, the heart transplant is a very cost-effective and very expensive procedure to make that it would be impossible to come up with the money in time, although John Q. said that he had the insurance for it. But Dr. Payne said that his type of insurance would not cover for the full transplant. So, one day, in a desperate attempt to save his son, John Q. does the unthinkable...he takes over the hospital! Along with several other people, Dr. Turner included, John Q. has taken these people hostage until his son has his name on the donor's list for the transplant. It is now up to a hostage negotiator, Lt. Frank Grimes (Robert Duvall) to try to talk to John Q. about his demands and such. And the movie pretty much goes on from there. "John Q" is the absolute best Denzel Washington film that I have ever seen! In fact, I said to myself that this was better than when I saw him as the bad guy in last year's "Training Day"! When you're watching "John Q", it tells you that a father would do anything to protect his family...he would even die for them, etc. And Nick Cassavetes' direction of this film was outstanding! With a top-notch cast, lots of suspense, and powerful storytelling, "John Q" is not just the best film of 2002...it is the greatest film of 2002!! An absolute DVD must-own to your collection!
Rating:
Summary: Too true for words
Review: For those who reviewed this movie that stated that this movie was 'unreal' and this 'would not happen' and it's just a propaganda for the democrats are living in dream land. Maybe they are single, healthy and never get to go to the Dr., and are not aware of the pathetic state of health care of America. I've had to deal myself since my son was born. My son has Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. His skin basically falls apart at the slightest touch. It is awful, brutal (see some clinical pics at my website, silviaskingdom.com). The only treatment that my son has is basically take care of the wounds, which cover, at times, as much as 60-75% of his body. Some of these wounds are chronic and take months to heal. Taking care of wounds is vital because if a bad infection occurs, my son could die. Infection is the number one killer of persons diagnosed with my son's condition. You would think that insurance companies would cover the medical supplies, the ointments, the bandages and everything involved in taking care of the wounds, but the reality is, the vast majority of HMOs do not. They don't because bandages and related products to care for wounds are 'over the counter', hence not covered under insurances. Sounds crazy? It is. And there is nothing I can do about it. Some states, if the income is low enough, provide some services that include coverage for bandages, and that is what fortunately is saving us, because I could never afford to pay the tens of thousands of dollars it takes each year just to purchase the various skin care products my son needs. I know what you're thinking... there is no way bandages cost that much! Yes they do actually... for example: an 8x10 sheet of Mepitel for deep wound coverage is $40. A roll of 1" gauze to bandage my son's hand is $1, and he goes through 4-6 of those per week, and that is just on his hands! It gets crazier... the various HMOs that we've had over the years have also denied to have my son seen by specialists too because they were 'out of network'. Of course they are out of network, my son's condition is one in a million, we can't expect to see a 'specialist' on this condition in every corner of the country, are we? I know what you're thinking... it's all my fault, yeah, the evil HMOs -- how dare they actually have the audacity to enforce the contracts people choose to purchase! Choose to purchase? I never had that choice. I never had the choice to choose between HMOs, let alone even have the opportunity to get PPOs. Medical care won't be legitimate in this country until we stop seeing ten-dollar boxes of Kleenex on the bills. Everyone gasps when I tell them how much my son's power chair cost... yes, $7,000, and there is no way it's worth that much. It is all outrageous, and the movie John Q. eloquently and effectively addresses the needs of families in a most poignant manner.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible
Review: I was utterly surprised at the reactions of the audience when I went to see this in the theater. I could not believe that I appeared to be the only person who was totally apalled to the plot of this story. Denzel...always great. With the exception of Training Day. But the plot and premise of this movie is not plausible at all. I understand that one would do anything for their child ( I probably would to), but there is no way I am condoning the taking hostage of a group of individuals. Totally ridiculous. This movie, itself, had good acting. But that's about it. The storyline was too ridiculous.
Rating:
Summary: JOHN Q Wants You For Socialized Health Insurance
Review: Do you have health insurance? If the answer is "Why no, Roman, I don't believe I do," then you really need to check out JOHN Q. JOHN Q, a drama starring Denzel Washington as a father who takes matters into his own hands when his insurance won't foot the bill on a new heart for his dying son, has all the elements of a great drama except one - it tries desperately, but miserably fails to really keep you guessing. Basic synopsis: Washington stars as John Q. Archibald, the kind of fellow who can't seem to get a break. However, his family life, while not full of monetary riches, is full of the heart-felt kind. And, when it comes to heart, no one surpasses his son, whose heart turns out to be three times too large. After young Mike Arhibald passes out on the baseball field (thunk!), doctors book him for a brief stay on the planet without a normal-sized heart, which his insurance won't pay for. The doctors and hospital administrators don't seem too sympathetic and old John Q just can't raise enough to money to fix the situation. So, in the dark of night, by the light of the full moon, he jumps the fence of a nearby pet cemetery and steals the heart of a pig in a desperate attempt to save his only son. O.k., that last part isn't true. I made it up. But, things do get nutty when John Q takes over the ER at gunpoint, demanding his son be placed at the top of the donor list. The Cast: Denzel Washington (HURRICANE; GLORY) does an excellent job in any role he takes on. He can be an ex-slave soldier with no real heart, a boxer with all heart, or a daddy whose kid has too much heart. His part as John Q is no exception. He does a great job of looking flustered and scared yet determined throughout the crisis, like a real father would.
Robert Duvall (APOCOLYPSE NOW; FALLING DOWN) is no Samuel L. Jackson (THE NEGOTIATOR), but he still does a fantastic job as the "good cop/negotiator" in this crime caper. He's the police officer who does things for the "right reason."
Anne Heche (SIX DAYS SEVEN NIGHTS; RETURN TO PARADISE) is insensitive and cold. But, hospital administrators have to be. Do you have any idea how many sick people they see every day? Don't you think they might get just a little numb to tears? Still, you will hate her in a very healthy way.
James Woods (ANY GIVEN SUNDAY; THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER), once again, lives up to his name as one of the best supporting actors of all time. This guy knows exactly when to push his dramatic expertise over the edge. His "didn't you ever have a dream" speech in ANY GIVEN SUNDAY is a prime example. While you really don't get too much of that in John Q, he keeps the emotion flowing.
Kimberly Elise (BELOVED) grows on you as the momma, but she cries so dang much it makes me want to shoot myself. My take on the film: While JOHN Q may not have been the most-shocking movie of late, it was everything I thought it would be, which can be both good and bad.
It had plenty of drama and great acting on the part of Washington. That was great.
It was full of unique camera angles, music that really clicked, and casting that can't be beat. Also a big plus.
However, all the health insurance ranting was not what I wanted to hear about. I wanted to see a drama where a daddy takes care of his boy and refuses to let the world and all its nonsensical rules stand in its way.
Also, there were parts of this movie that no one, not even a pawn shop owner, would buy. I don't want to give anything away, but I hope the cops and judicial system don't handle a real incident the way they do in JOHN Q.
Overall though, it was a fairly good film. It certainly wasn't GLORY or MALCOLM X caliber, but it was far from boring and kept me on the edge of my seat, even though I knew basically what was going to happen from start to finish. JOHN Q is definitely worth renting and almost certainly worth checking out in theaters, but don't expect anything Oscar caliber.
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