John Q. [2002]

John Q is essentially about a man whose son encounters a life threatening medical situation. His job has changed medical plans and his hours have been cut, all more or less without him being aware of it. When told his son needs a heart transplant, he finds out that his insurance won't really be there help out. As a good father, he does every thing he can, within the system to get this surgery for his son, but to no avail. He's left with no options, so he chooses to basically kidnap the ER and his son's heart surgeon.

Overall, this is a very gut wrenching and, at times and extremely enlightening film. While not approving of his final solution, John Q is a very good movie that brings to the spotlight some facts about health care in the United States! {ssintrepid}


Denzel at his Best !!   November 13, 2002
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is one movie which I feel is probably Denzel Washington at his best.It starts with a family ( Denzel's) trying to keep it together in recession hit America. When his son collapses on the baseball field of a little league game and the problems it throws up over the American Health Insurance system. John.Q.(Denzel) finds out that his insurance policy will not pay out for his sons treatment. So he tries different ways to get the necessary money ( $250,000 ) i.e. medi-aid. He finds himself running against a clock that is ticking down for his son. Finally frustrated with total apathy from insurers to doctors and hospital admin and an equally upset wife,he decides to force the issue with the hospital and staff involved. This movie took me from disbelief, to frustration,then rage,then shock and tears that in this day and age a so called World Economy could turn its back on its citizens without a care in the world attitude (MONEY). I know this is only a movie but it makes you realise that for all its faults the U.K. has a good and free on demand health service.As a grown man I can really understand the emotions and fear that is shown in this movie. I hope that this helps you decide to add this movie to your collection. It did me.....


John Q, another score for Denzel Washington   February 19, 2003
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I've seen a lot of movies with Denzel Washington, but this one has to be my favorite. It's something we hear about all the time, an insurance company screwing people over, but we never really could consider what that actually meant until now...

The movie is about a family man, he has a wife and a son and his son becomes very ill with heart problems. It is assumed everything will be ok because they all have medical insurance, but there's some technicalities and John Q has to take action.

The movie has a little action, a lot of top quality acting and it's one of those movies that will bring a tear to your eye from time to time... If you're a fan of Denzel or just after a good movie, buy this one!...


John Q..a thrilling tearjerker   February 10, 2003
Mrs Elaine C Woollam (St Antonin Noble Val France)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

My husband and I both watched this DVD, knowing absolutely nothing about it....we were mesmerised, enthralled and sitting on the edge of our chairs. A brilliant story...as far as we know it it is fiction, not based on reality as per Erin Brokavitch.

It is exciting, full of succulent suspense, some incredible humour under unbelievable conditions and a real tear jerker...guys you will need the box of tissues close by for both yourself and partner.

It has everything..a man down on his luck, a supportive but angry wife,a sick kid and American medical bureaucracy. He tries to resolve the problems within the law, but reaches breaking point when his son is on the point of death and so takes the law and his son's hospital into his own hands.

You will not be disappointed a great film


A Fantastic Film   March 2, 2004
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This film is brilliant. Denzel Washington deserved an award for the role of John. Q. Its brilliant. While watching it, I was choked up with emotion. This is certinately worth buying. Its one of the best films I have seen.