Review of Desperate Measures (2011) by Stuart K — 05 Aug 2013

Directed by Barbet Schroeder (Maîtresse (1976), Reversal of Fortune (1990) and Single White Female (1992)), and adapted by David Klass from his own novel, which was published before the film came out.

This has a good idea for a film, but it does have some very hammy overacting, but it does have some good moments of action and nasty suspense. In San Francisco, police officer Frank Conner (Andy Garcia) is on a frantic search for a bone marrow donor for his son Matt (Joseph Cross), who has leukemia.

However, the only perfect match is Peter McCabe (Michael Keaton), who is a vicious mass murderer, serving a life sentence. Although reluctant to help, Conner offers McCabe a compromise including privileges, with McCabe agrees to.

But no sooner than McCabe is in the hospital, than he seizes upon the opportunity to escape, causing havoc and carnage within the place, staying one step ahead of the police, but Conner needs McCabe alive in order to save his son.

It's a good idea for the film, and while Keaton relishes at being a nasty killer, he is very over the top. Yet, this is one of those action-thrillers you get that would be toned down for an audience today.

Schroeder is an underrated director, and he does well with formulaic thrillers like this, and he should be given more films.