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John Q (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:127
Fresh:28
Rotten:99
Average Rating:4.4/10
Consensus: Washington's performance rises above the material, but John Q pounds the audience over the head with its message.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for violence, language, and some intense thematic elements
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Feb 15, 2002 Wide
Box Office: $71,026,631
Synopsis: John Q. Archibald (Denzel Washington) is struggling through a recession trying to provide for his son Mikey (Daniel E. Smith) and his waitress wife (Kimberly Elise). Mikey collapses at a Little... John Q. Archibald (Denzel Washington) is struggling through a recession trying to provide for his son Mikey (Daniel E. Smith) and his waitress wife (Kimberly Elise). Mikey collapses at a Little League game and is rushed to a hospital. The situation is bleak. Only a heart transplant will save Mikey's life. John's HMO refuses to cover the expensive surgery. With the hospital and his insurance provider unwilling to help and his wife pleading with John to act, he takes matters into his own hands, holding the hospital's renowned heart surgeon (James Woods) and several others hostage in an emergency care wing until the surgery will be performed. Nick Cassavetes directed this attack on the American health care system. Like his previous feature, SHE'S SO LOVELY, Cassavetes proves adept at mining the political ramifications out of human drama. The film criticizes hospitals and health care providers for working in collusion against the working class. This moving drama is propelled by the intense lead performance by Washington as one man against an unjust system. [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, Robert Duvall, Anne Heche, James Woods
Starring: Denzel Washington, Robert Duvall, Anne Heche, James Woods, Ray Liotta, Kimberly Elise, Daniel E. Smith, Shawn Hatosy, Eddie Griffin, Kevin Connolly, Troy Winbush
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Screenwriter: James Kearns
Producer: Mark Burg, Oren Koules
Composer: Aaron Zigman
Studio: New Line Cinema
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Reviews for John Q
Washington overcomes the script's flaws and envelops the audience in his character's anguish, anger and frustration.
One can excuse the movie's missteps and melodramatic moments in the greater interest of the strong statement it makes about our health care system.
While it scarcely touches on the inadequate American health care system, it's at least got something to say, rather than just gush.
The dramatic impact of John Q. comes down to something rather basic: It's wonderful to see Denzel Washington playing a father.
John Q may be too problematic to be marked a great movie, but one thing definitely is: Denzel Washington.
It's a powerful though flawed movie, guaranteed to put a lump in your throat while reaffirming Washington as possibly the best actor working in movies today.
An emotional, heart-wrenching story that not only takes viewers on a journey within their own souls, but also opens up their eyes to the way the health care system works.
It's not a perfect film by any means ... but overall, it entertained me.
Washington's extraordinarily precise, emotionally rich and powerfully persuasive performance blazes through the cliches and contrivances of James Kearns' blunt-spoken, heavy-handed screenplay.
A coercive script by James Kearns, and some middling direction by Nick Cassavetes, can't rob the movie of an undeniable, headlong crowd-pleasing power as it tackles an issue that touches us all.
Washington, Woods, and Duvall are so capable, they almost save this schlock-fest from itself.
A real audience-pleaser that will strike a chord with anyone who's ever waited in a doctor's office, emergency room, hospital bed or insurance company office.
It can be described as manipulative, derivative and heavy-handed. In spite of all that, it kinda works in a populist-fantasy sort of way.
Moviegoers will enjoy the all-star cast and the near-constant tension, but they will be won over by Washington's performance and the timely cause.
Latest News for John Q
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February 22, 2006:
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| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 24% 24% | G-Force |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
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