Andy Garcia, Michael Keaton, Marcia Gay Harden

Set in San Francisco, a tale about a cop who bends department rules in trying to aid his terminally ill son. He chases an escaped convict whose matching bone marrow will enable his son to have an orga...( read more  read more... )n transplant.

Flixster Users

42% liked it

9,182 ratings

Critics

18% liked it

28 critics

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Barbet Schroeder

Release Date: June 1, 1997

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DVD Release Date: May 26, 1998

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Stats: 258 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (258)


  • September 30, 2009
    Silly action film to switch off to
  • July 24, 2007
    Peter McCabe: You have to appreciate the irony. After all these years of being locked up, I'm given the opportunity to kill again. A cops kid too, and all I have to do is sit right here.

    This movie does a good job at being terrible, but every time it's on, I enjoy watching it. ...( read more)There's just something about it.

    A strange combination of Andy Garcia and a particularly good Michael Keaton, who does not get enough work in my opinion, star as cop and criminal.

    Garcia has a terminally ill son who needs a bone marrow transplant. Enter Keaton, who plays a killer in jail and happens to be the only one in the area that matches up to Garcia's son.

    Upon the time of the operation, Keaton breaks out, basically takes the hospital hostage, and it becomes a cat and mouse game between Garcia and Keaton, except Keaton can't be killed or Garcia's son dies.

    The movie has plenty of logic problems, but it is good enough to watch on tv, and Keaton shines.

    Peter McCabe: [after agreeing to transplant] These cigarettes are stale. You tell that cop and his dead kid I won't stand for stale cigarettes.
  • December 19, 2006
    Pretty good
  • December 8, 2006
    A solid and riveting edge of your seat thriller. Packs plenty of explosive action, unpredictable suspence and full-throttle excitment. Michael Keaton and Andy Garcia have never been better. A sly and and chilling cat and mouse game. An exhilerating ride.
  • October 26, 2006
    the movie may not be all that great but Micheal Keaton is the shit!
  • October 17, 2009
    While semi-strange, it was good...Always was a fan of the Keaton dude"
  • October 10, 2009
    The thing that I remember most about this film is that I found the villain played by Michael Keaton to be the most interesting and captivating character in the entire movie. His portrayal of a sociopathic genius was an excellent one and he also provided some comic relief in an ot...( read more)herwise dreary dramatic thriller. Every scene that Keaton's character isn't in is dreary, depressing, and utterly unentertaining. An okay movie that is okay for a few nostalgic 1990s laughs.
  • September 24, 2009
    A movie different like any other, good action, god theme
  • June 19, 2009
    Una pelicula regular . me gusto mucho el papel de Keaton de lo mejor de la pelicula.
  • June 6, 2009
    I really like this movie and Michael Keaton does a great performance. Recommended.

Comments


  • terris85017
    October 20, 2007
    Watching it (again) right now...GREAT SUSPENSE!! Keaton is eerily fantastic in this role!! Andy Garcia...welll can Andy Garcia class up a movie or what??? LOL ..NOT sure why John Q was such a hit..when this movie covers very similar ground...WITHOUT Andy Garcia holding anyone hostage!!

    Dying kid (son) of Andy Garcia (cop) CAN be saved by transplant from death row inmate who is a close donor match....

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Desperate Measures Trivia


  • In what movie did Michael Keaton play a prisoner who had a rare bone marrow that Andy Garcia needed for his son to live?  Answer »
  • in what movie did micheal keaton say, "i kill boom boom thats what i do, and i cannot make myself feel bad about it. i cannot imagine a god who would care."  Answer »
  • In the movie 'Desperate Measures' who is the guy in prison?  Answer »
  • name the movie: Roy O'Dell: Time for desperate measures. What about my daughter? Jimmie: Absolutely not! Roy O'Dell: Why not? She's not good enough for you? Jimmie: She's fifteen! Roy O'Dell: Well, it's pretty late in the game for you to be Mr. Choosy.   Answer »

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