Review of John Q (2002) by Mark B — 10 Jan 2010
Well, let's just be glad that "John Q" wasn?t released in during Barak Obama's push for national health care reform. If it had, this film would have been seen for what it is; a 116 minute commercial.
In "John Q", a father, played by Denzel Washington, refuses to accept status quo when it comes to his son's health. When he discovers that his insurance won?t cover his son's heart transplant, he sees only one course of action. He takes hostages at the hospital, and demands that his son is treated. Great premise, but the commercial has already begun.
Don?t misunderstand me here. I'm not making a statement against Obama's campaign on this issue. I was fairly indifferent when Hillary Clinton tried to do the same. But I find it bothersome when a film covertly but flagrantly takes up a political cause, whether I am for against said cause. I felt the same about Runaway Jury (gun control) and The Life of David Gale (the death penalty).
The film has some worthy elements. I enjoyed the parallel story involving the lady in the car accident. Eddie Griffin and the rest of the actor/hostages are excellent in their supporting roles. But once I realized I was watching a political advertisement, I would rather have been somewhere else. Well, at least Washington found some work again.
This review of John Q (2002) was written by Mark B on 10 Jan 2010.
John Q has generally received positive reviews.
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