Rating: 
Summary: well intentioned film ruined by cheap melodrama
Review: "John Q" deals with the issue of what happens to people in this country who - when serious life threatening illnesses hit them or their loved ones - suddenly discover that their insurance will not pay for their medical care. This is certainly a serious and important issue that deserves to be addressed in a cinematic forum that honors that seriousness. "John Q" does not, unfortunately, provide such a forum. It does, in fact, insult both its subject matter and its audience by resorting to cheap and tawdry melodramatics to get its point across.Watching "John Q" is like being hit in the face with a two-by-four. The movie starts off with the death of a woman in a car accident. Then it introduces us to the Archibald family, consisting of John Q. (Denzel Washington) - a blue collar factory worker whose work load has been so sparse lately that even his wife's car has been repossessed - his devoutly religious spouse, Denise, and their bright-eyed boy, Michael, who it turns out, has a seriously damaged heart that requires immediate replacement if the boy is to survive longer than a few months. Overwhelmed with despair, the couple discovers that the hospital refuses to foot the bill for the transplant operation when it is discovered that John's insurance is not quite as "comprehensive" as he was led to believe. Faced with the grim possibility of his only son's death, John decides to take matters into his own hands and masterminds a violent takeover of the hospital's emergency room, a scenario that comes replete with all the hostages, hostage negotiators and media hoopla that are so familiar to us from the seemingly hundreds of other films we have seen working in this formula. Despite a plotline that, by its very nature, exudes sanctimoniousness, "John Q" might have been a tolerable film had it been able to stay true to its theme and explored, in a serious, believable way, the problem it is trying to address. But once John forces his way into the emergency room, the film loses all credibility and we have nowhere to go but into the realm of cheap Hollywood fantasy. It's as if the filmmakers felt that the only way such a human drama could hold our attention is if they turned it into a clichéd exploitation film full of the kind of ridiculous interpersonal squabbling and last-minute reprieves that only serve to remind us that what we are watching is not real life but a hopelessly contrived fictional scenario. An impressive cast (Washington, James Woods, Robert Duvall, Anne Heche, Ray Liotta, Kimberley Elise) is set adrift on a sea of narrative implausibilities, frequently unmotivated actions and phony sentimental uplift. Heche plays the chief hospital administrator so coldhearted and unsympathetic that she makes Cruella Deville look like Mary Poppins in comparison - a fact that makes her complete emotional turnabout completely inexplicable in the context of her character. Duvall, as the seasoned hostage negotiator, and Liotta, as the chief-of-police concerned only with the next election, engage in a conventional power-play scrimmage over strategy that is as boring as it is predictable. Woods plays his umpteenth version of the heartless cad, here as the surgeon who can't bring himself to see what all the fuss is about. And, of course, all of John's captives by the end have sworn their loyalties and allegiances to John's cause - as has the crowd of common folk watching the drama unfold both from behind the barricades and at their sets at home. "John Q" never misses an opportunity to level a cheap shot at people it doesn't like. For instance, as counterpoint to what is happening to John and his family, the film shows us a man who HAS been able to secure a heart transplant. He is, of course, not merely white and apparently rich, but he also has a giddy, bimbo wife, both of whom seem blithely unaware of anyone else's fortunes but their own. Somehow, we just KNOW that this man did not deserve the transplant he received, and we are given every indication that he will never make the best of it in the way little Michael would if he were just given the opportunity. The film also takes the usual easy swipes at the media - although in a way the media turns out to be John Q's salvation - by portraying the consumer action reporter on the scene as an effete, vain, self-centered opportunist who sees this story as his "own white bronco." The film always seems to want to have it both ways and, as a result, it ends up being true to nothing. The pain that John and his family are going through is certainly palpable and it is one that is undoubtedly shared by many other people the world over - and the issue of inadequate healthcare is one that needs to be seriously addressed, no doubt about it. Unfortunately, merely trying to transfer "Dog Day Afternoon" to an emergency room setting is not the best dramatic means for getting that noble point across.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth the Trip
Review: My husband and I saw this movie last night. Denzil Washington gives a stellar performance. The subject matter is one of fact in that litterly thousands of Americans are with out health care and that insurance companies not doctors in this country control who gets care, and who doesn't. One can only hope that this movie can help put preasure on Congress to come up with a national Health care program that has the best outcome for patients as its primary focus not the profits of HMO's. The Movie brought me and many other to tears and many applauded as the credits rolled.The only down falls were minor in the medical inaccuracy's. Excellent.
Rating: 
Summary: Just horrible acting...
Review: Denzel Washington plays a desperate father who holds a hospital ER hostage while demanding his son get on a donor list for a heart transplant. It raises the issue of healthcare and insurance, but it fails to come up with a solution (no matter how prejudiced). I watched this film because I was curious as to how it would end. The night before I had watched Denzel being interviewed on Jay Leno, and he said he was proud of the scene towards the end where he tells his son all he needs to know about life in a minute. Scenes like these usually leave me teary eyed, but this didn't. I just strongly felt that all the actors did a horrible job in acting. The story itself was not only incredulous, but it didn't seem to make a statement. One would expect a film as such to take a stand and defend it. Carry out a scenario to the end, whether the audience likes it or not. But, NO, this film tried to please everyone. And in the end pleased no one.
Rating:
Summary: 2 1/2 Stars for Denzel
Review: When the action of a film stops dead in its tracks to have a group of characters discuss the "theme" of the movie to make sure that we, the audience "gets it," I know that there are problems with the film's direction and writing. Such a thing happens about 3/4 of the way through Nick Cassavetes "John Q."
John Q (Denzel Washington) is "mad as hell and won't take it anymore" because his dying son is refused entrance onto a heart transplant waiting list because his medical coverage is not sufficient to cover the costs.
His grief striken wife,Denise (Kimberly Elise) demands that he do something. And so at gunpoint, he takes over the Emergency Room with the demand that his son be put on the list. Is this an act of machismo taken to extreme (his wife is demanding action..is she going to consider him a wimp if he doesn't do something?) or an act of parental devotion taken to the Nth degree?
Extreme? Maybe. But following the arc of this particular screenplay...maybe not. Numb-Sculled? Perhaps. Unrealistic? Who Cares...this is a movie not real life. This film is out to make a point...which it does by bludgeoning us over the head with it.
The "round table" discussion between a group of hospital emergency room workers and patients regarding the poor state of the USA's Health/Medical system is obvious, pointless, humorless, silly and ruins whatever credibility the film has garnered up to this point.
Denzel Washington, at this point in his career is a flawless actor and more importantly...an icon in the making. Without him this film would be a miserable failure. But when he is on screen, which is almost all the time...we believe and we care.
Nick Cassevetes is one lucky man to have Denzel playing the lead because Denzel fills in a lot of the gaps, illogical nooks and crannies of this film with his sterling technique and amazing screen presence. We root for Denzel like we did for Peter Finch in "Network" or James Stewart in "Meeting John Doe." All these characters are on a mission and we follow them like the children of Hamlin followed The Pied Piper.
Nick's father, John Cassevetes was a master craftsman and it's interesting to note, a man to whom the Dogma95 filmmakers owe a lot of their techniques. John Cassevetes knew when to pull the camera back and let the images speak for themselves. Check out "A Woman Under the Influence" as I did recently, to see what I mean.
Nick Cassevetes'"John Q" is, unfortunately an example of the apple falling very very far from the tree, I'm afraid.
Rating: 
Summary: A thriller as well as a drama
Review: I've heard reviews say that this film is not good. But I love Denzel, so I went anyways. And it was GREAT. Yes, the plot is unreal, but movies are a whole other world where problems aree either solved in an instant or taken to the extreme. That's why they're enjoyable to begin with, so I don't know why people are always so picky about the "unrealistic storylines". John Q[Denzel Washington] and his wife Denise[Kimberly ELise] are on thin ice with money, and when their nine-year-old son Mike[Daniel E. Smith] is in need of a heart transplant, they are, well, screwed. Their insurance doesn't cover the expenses required for the transplant. Despite the fact that the family sells practially everything [John's wedding ring and color TV being just two], it is not enough. Finally, one day, Denise calls John and tells him that Mike is going to be released and sent home to die. John begs with Mike's doctor[James Woods] to give his son a chance. That's a no-go. Now, mind you, up until now, John has been playing by all the rules and remaining civil and level-headed. But at this point, it all becomes too much. John pulls out his gun and takes everyone in the emergency room hostage. This isn't just any ordinary drama, it is also very thrilling and at the end you are on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. I'd like to get more into the story, but that would spoil everything, but I will say that by the end, you're on the edge with what will happen. The ending wasn't what I thought it would be, and I thought it was perfect. Most movies like this have either perfect or completely sad endings. And believe me, this ending could've been a real horror movie with more than one person ending up dead [not that anyone necisarrily ends up dead, but if you've seen the movie you know what I mean]. While the ending was overall a happy one, it was not completely happy. There is a final catch. The acting is very good. Denzel does not disappoint and is totally believable as the father who simply will not let his child die. Yes, he is not being the ideal father by taking innocent victims hostage, but his heart is in the right place and he has good intentions. My parents have always told me that they love me more than anyone and they would do anything for me. I never thought I knew just what they meant, but after seeing this film I have a much clearer conception of how far a parent will go to keep their children. Anne Heche is good as the hospital adminostrator, but she is so stone-cold that you want to spit your popcorn at the screen. Ray Liotta is equally hatable as one of the forces called in after the hostage, and Robert Duvall and James Woods are excellent also, especially James Woods. The movie is rated PG-13 for bad language, violence, some frightening moments, and an open-heart surgery that's actually not that gruesome. But if your kids are old enough and mature enough, this is really a family film. My friend and I [who are 13] loved and appreciated this movie just as much as my parents.
Rating:
Summary: A hard reality
Review: This movie may not be of Oscar caliber (some stereotypical characters and a bit of stiffness here and there); however, unlike many of today's movies, it actually held my attention from beginning to end.
Although the idea of a person taking over an emergency room and actually getting what they want in the end is very far-fetched, the basic premise of this movie has it's foundation in a hard reality.
It's not about black and white, it's not about poor and middle-class ... the plain fact is, that many of us utilize HMO's as our medical provider (I personally opt to pay the higher premiums for a PPO, even though it does put a strain on my wallet; the assurance of care whenever, wherever makes it worthwhile).
A system where money supercedes quality care ... where doctors receive premiums and bonuses for NOT utilizing the full range of diagnostic equipment and tests for their patients ... where who lives and who dies is based on who has the dollars to pay for it out of pocket (and many of us don't) - this type of system is flawed beyond redemption.
It's time to wipe the slate clean and go back to premium care for everyone.
This movie succeeds in opening a dialogue on a very real and pressing issue; however, with the current federal administration in place, it is highly unlikely that changes will be made.
Rating:
Summary: An average crowd pleaser.
Review: "John Q" is good for some thought-provoking ideas and questions concerning the ever-growing problems with our nation's health care policies, as well as some hard-hitting performances from its arsenal of talented actors. For these reasons, the movie qualifies as an average crowd pleaser, though it's predictability, as well as some cloyed storytelling in its second half, keep it from being the powerful drama it aspires to be. The story centers around factory worker John Q. Archibald (Denzel Washington), a middle-class man who manages to make ends meet despite cutbacks at his job and an endless parade of financial woes. His wife, Denise (Kimberly Elise), works as a supermarket cashier, while his son, Mike (Daniel E. Smith), is well-mannered and well-behaved. At a little league game, his once-enthusiastic son collapses, after which he is rushed to the hospital and placed in intensive care. In a meeting with the cardiologist Dr. Turner (James Woods) and hospital chair member Rebecca Payne (Anne Heche), the Archibalds are told of their son's condition: his heart has been rendered useless, with a transplant being his only method of survival. But their exhilaration is short-lived when they are told that their insurance does not cover such an expensive operation. John, infuriated by the change in his policy as a result of his reduced work hours, begins a journey of collecting money, selling personal belongings, standing in line at the Medicaid office, all to little avail. This much we know from the movie's preview trailer, along with the turn of events that comes when Mike is to be released without so much as his name being added to the organ donor's list of recipients. Driven by urgency, John storms into the emergency room and takes several hostages, including Dr. Turner, in a desperate plea for the survival of his son. Since we know all of this right from the get-go, nothing much comes as a surprise once the pace begins to increase. There are some moments that contain some small measure of tight suspense, but really, the movie tends to lean towards convention, settling for easily-foreseen plot twists and events that adhere to a well-known formula. Accompanying this high level of predictability is a collection of oddly-placed moments of humor between John and his hostages that, yes, are funny, but feel out of place. In its favor are the arguments brought to light concerning health care, which aren't exactly new, but still bear a great deal of resonance. Things such as the ridiculously high cost of medical procedures, the many ways insurance companies maneuver around providing coverage for certain operations, all combine to incite one's thinking processes about just how ludicrous our country's medical plans really are. At one point, after being turned down for Medicaid, John states "My son is dying, and I'm broke. If I don't qualify, who does?" The movie also scores points for its acting zeal, especially that of Washington, who returns from his bad-boy holiday in "Training Day" to give us yet another performance where, in the end, we are pleased with his work. John's role as a father, and his willingness to go to great lengths to ensure his survival, are made convincing and believable, a true Washington character. Among the supporting actors, including Heche and Woods in credible performances, are Robert Duvall as a police negotiator, and Ray Liotta as the cocky, self-absorbed police chief. There are two problems with "John Q:" its unwillingness to take a different path, and the overall feeling of underachievement that hangs over the movie. Those two things aside, the movie is entertaining enough for anyone who enjoys seeing Washington at the top of his game, and those who like a little political fervor in their movies.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Performance
Review: This movie was incredible, Denzel played the role as John Q like the situation really happened to him. This movie is so true about Health Insurance. The poor is treated like dirt,when they pay for health insurance weekly, bi-weekly or monthly but when it's time to cover you when you are sick there's nothing no one wants to do. The rich can afford to pay for Heart Transplants and other surgeries. Denzel is a great actor and everyone else that played a part in the movie. I give it 5 stars !!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Un-American
Review: This is a bad movie based on a horrible premise. Initiation of force, socialism, slavery (Doctors are NOT your slaves!!). It makes me very sad to see how far from freedom and individual rights we have strayed. I am ashamed that this movie was made, released and highly rated by many Americans. I am proud that I am able to identify the disgusting ideas that are presented in this film. I wish other Americans could, too.
Rating:
Summary: REALITY CHECK
Review: THIS MOVIE SPEAKS FOR IT'S SELF. THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM NOW! IS ALL ABOUT BUISNESS, NOT HEALTHCARE! BASCIALLY IF YOU GOT MONEY YOU LIVE, IF NOT YOU SUFFER. THAT'S SCARY!
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