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Cast

Michael Keaton
as Peter McCabe

Andy Garcia
as Frank Conner

Brian Cox
as Jeremiah Cassidy

Marcia Gay Harden
as Samantha Hawkins

Erik King
as Nate Oliver

Efrain Figueroa
as Vargus

Joseph Cross
as Matthew Conner

Janel Moloney
as Sarah Davis

Janel Maloney
as Sarah Davis

Richard Riehle
as Ed Fayne

Tracey Walter
as Medical Inmate

Peter Weireter
as SWAT Team Commander

Keith Diamond
as Derrick Wilson

Steve Park
as Dr. Gosha

Steven Schub
as SWAT in Airduct

Neal Matarazzo
as Cell Guard

Dennis Cockrum
as Pelican Bay Head Guard

Charles Noland
as Cigarette Guard

Randy Thompson
as Library Guard

Michael Shamus Wiles
as Tough Inmate

Darren Pearce
as Convoy Guard

Eric Tignini
as Convoy Guard

Billy Kane
as Laser Technician

Christine Ashe
as Young ER Nurse

Donna M. Duffy
as ER Nurse

Troy Robinson
as Cop Escorting Frank

Robert Baier
as Security Booth Guard

David Flick
as SWAT Sharpshooter in Street

Joe Drago
as Doctor at Walkway

Josh Kemble
as SWAT Sniper on Roof

Scott Colomby
as Patrol Cop

Howard Meehan
as Policeman on Street

Tim Kelleher
as Helicopter Shooter

Cliff Fleming
as SWAT Helicopter Pilot

Dirk Vahle
as SWAT Helicopter Pilot

Craig Hosking
as SWAT Helicopter Pilot

Jack Gill
as Motorcyclist

Scott Waugh
as Motorcyclist

Danny Rogers
as Motorcyclist

John Meier
as Cop Shot in ER

Norman Howell Jr.
as Burnt Cop 1

John Rottger
as Burnt Cop 2

Donna Keegan
as Burning Nurse

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Critic Reviews for Desperate Measures

Audience Reviews for Desperate Measures

• Feb 25, 2011

  Enjoyable movie to check out on netflix instant
  Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
• Sep 10, 2009

  Peter McCabe (Michael Keaton) is in jail for several murders. He is one of the most dreaded criminals in his prison. However, a cop, Frank Conner (Andy Garcia), finds out that Peter is the only one who can save his son by giving him a bone marrow transplant. Peter agrees to do so after getting several of his privileges, such as smoking, back. However, things take an interesting twist after Peter somehow escapes while in the hospital. Frank can't allow anybody to kill Peter because that would kill Frank's son, but he also doesn't want Peter to do what he is known for, being a murderer. I can't believe that "Desperate Measures" isn't getting a lot better ratings than it's getting. I thought it was a great movie. I like for movies to have a plot, and I'll admit that this movie is choppy in that department, but it does feature one of Michael Keaton's best job as an actor and it has great suspense. That's why I really liked "Desperate Measures." If you can put up with a movie that doesn't have one of the best plots in the world, but one that has good acting and great suspense, I recommend getting "Desperate Measures." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2001.
  Jason O Super Reviewer
• May 31, 2008

  Widowed police officer Frank Conner (Andy Garcia) has a cancer-stricken nine-year-old son, Matthew (Joseph Cross), whose only hope for survival is a bone-marrow transplant, but the only matching donor is Pete McCabe (Michael Keaton), a vicious, psychotic killer being held in a maximum-security prison. McCabe at first denies Conner's request for help but then agrees, devising an elaborate plan to use the medical procedure as an opportunity to escape. McCabe breaks loose before the transfusion can occur, and Conner is forced to become both his tracker and his ally, wanting to bring the serial killer back into custody but determined--for the sake of his son--to keep McCabe alive. Keaton is chilling as the vicious, brilliant convict, while Garcia turns in a heartfelt performance as a devoted father caught in the middle of a bad situation getting worse. With DESPERATE MEASURES, director Barbet Schroeder (REVERSAL OF FORTUNE), renowned for his knack of combining urgent family drama with white-knuckle suspense, adds another crowd-pleasing, thought-provoking film to his list of successes.
  Martin D Super Reviewer
• Mar 24, 2008

  Great movie. Andy Garcia and Michael Keaton play off each other really well and make this film very entertaining, intense and assured direction, moments of genuine suspense, and a booming score.
  Steven V Super Reviewer

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