Review of Extraordinary Measures (2010) by Chris G — 09 Jul 2010

Extraordinary Measures follows the story of P.R. man John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) and his wife Aileen (Keri Russell) as they cope with and search for a cure to the genetic disorder plaguing two of their children. John's research leads him to Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford), who is a leader in theorizing cures for the disease, but has no real funding to test them. The film unfolds as the two develop an organization and raise capital so that John can find a cure for his children.

Extraordinary Measures feels like a made for TV film, probably for Lifetime or O!, the difference being that the budgets are bigger and you have a cast that has been heard of before. It's paint by numbers here: John's desperate, reaches out to Stonehill, Stonehill shoots him down, promises are made, Stonehill meets the kids, one kid is very adult-like, Stonehill falls in line, away we go. We've seen this plot thousands of times. There's nothing new here. Fraser is a little over the top as the father; I know he should be over the top as THE father, but he seems to ham it up on the wrong occasions. Keri Russell is very good in the film, but she is used more as a back drop for Fraser, a shoulder to cry on so to speak. More of a role for her would have benefited this film tremendously. That brings us to Mr. Ford, who has seen better days, yet I can't help but feel that this is the closest to the real Harrison Ford you'll ever see on screen- quiet, reserved, wants to be left the hell alone, yet he'll rip your head off as needed. Sadly, he's too good for the material he's given.

This is supposed to be one of those films that tears at the heartstrings, making you feel for a father willing to do anything for his kids, like make seven figures and move into a mansion. That's a hard thing to do. You're more likely to be checking your watch at the hour point and praying for either a cure or death during the closing thirty. Three words- cliched, hokey, and dull.