Extreme Measures (1996)

55% of critics liked it
(33 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(10,447 ratings)

Comic leading man Hugh Grant gets serious in this drama about a physician who uncovers a truly disturbing secret. Guy Luthan (Hugh Grant), a British doctor serving a residence in a hospital in New York City, is very puzzled by a patient brought to the emergency room one night. Naked, disoriented,… More Comic leading man Hugh Grant gets serious in this drama about a physician who uncovers a truly disturbing secret. Guy Luthan (Hugh Grant), a British doctor serving a residence in a hospital in New York City, is very puzzled by a patient brought to the emergency room one night. Naked, disoriented, and bearing a hospital bracelet and a fresh surgical scar, the mystery man is suffering from a baffling variety of symptoms, and though he dies not long after he's admitted, Luthan can't get the patient out of his mind. When he asks to see the records on the patient a few days later, he's told they no longer exist, and the more he digs, the more he's convinced that someone knows something they're not telling. Against the advice of his friend Jodie Trammel (Sarah Jessica Parker), a nurse and colleague, and the instructions of his superiors, Luthan keeps digging into this and other strange cases that have come through the hospital lately. Luthan's sleuthing eventually brings him to the door of Dr. Lawrence Myrick (Gene Hackman), a well-known surgeon who is doing research in experimental surgery that could allow patients with severe spinal injuries to walk again. While Myrick's work is done with the most noble of intentions, there turns out to be a sinister undercurrent to his research techniques. Actress Elizabeth Hurley, Grant's offscreen significant other, was co-producer for this picture, the first from their joint production company. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Michael Apted
Written By: Tony Gilroy
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 27, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Dec 14, 1999
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Charlie Lyne, Ultra Culture
It's a fish out of water story in which neither the fish nor anybody else seems aware of his 'out of water' status.
Rob Nelson, Boston Phoenix
The good liberal Michael Apted seems to think he's directing a film about society's exploitation of the homeless. In fact, the exploitation is all his.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
If it's never as scary or provocative as it means to be, at least it's straightforward and satisfying.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
A spine-tingling suspense machine that holds you captivated from beginning to end. A much underrated, overlooked thriller.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Extreme silliness, but kind of fun.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Tries to be a both a medical thriller and morality play, and it doesn't quite deliver in both departments.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
A thoughtful if somewhat heavy-handed medical thriller that benefits enormously from Hackman's involvement.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

A great Thriller from the 90's with a slightly more serious role from Hugh Grants and less typecast than we are used to. An original plot which has been copied many times including in TV programmes. A good conspiracy film, which presents a great dilema, which will at least… More
A great Thriller from the 90's with a slightly more serious role from Hugh Grants and less typecast than we are used to. An original plot which has been copied many times including in TV programmes. A good conspiracy film, which presents a great dilema, which will at least make you question the circumstances yourself.
Anthony L

A far from thrilling thriller. Hugh Grant is woefully miscast!
Ross C

I can't remember much about this movie but I think I enjoyed it.
Candy R

Thriller about legally medical practices.
Steve K

Grant is quite good.
xGary X

Gene Hackman is wasted in a journeyman "thriller" in which Hugh Grant proves he can't do serious either.
Andre T

Thriller film based on Michael Palmer's 1991 novel of the same name, about the ethics of how far we are willing to go, and how much we are willing to sacrifice, in order to cure the world's ills.With a "conspiracy theory" plot, this is a well made thriller with… More
Thriller film based on Michael Palmer's 1991 novel of the same name, about the ethics of how far we are willing to go, and how much we are willing to sacrifice, in order to cure the world's ills.With a "conspiracy theory" plot, this is a well made thriller with some surprises.Worth a try.