December 17, 2008
Slightly overwrought thriller. Needed a stronger director and probably one more re-write.
Anne Heche, Denzel Washington, Dina Spybey
A down-on-his luck father, whose insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant, takes the hospital's emergency room hostage until the doctors agree to perform the operation.
DVD Release Date: July 16, 2002
Stats: 5,613 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (5,613)
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June 29, 2008Explosive idea for a film. Denzel Washington as usual puts on a great performance.
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June 6, 2008A gripping, exciting and emotionally charged edge of your seat thriller. It's ER meets Dog Day Afternoon. A very intense and moving film that has something to say. A magnificent all-star cast. Denzel Washington gives a powerful and unforgettable performance. Robert Duvall is teri...( read more)
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May 11, 2008not one of the most believable scripts but some interesting actors help it move along. could've been so much better. almost too much drama. swamped in the stuff
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November 14, 2009Great actors, great story, and a great message given the sad state of healthcare today in America, this could have been a great movie, but with a poorly written script, making for an unrealistic story, and overacting, ala James T. Kirk style, ...it kinda sucked.
What a waste! -
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November 4, 2009I am sure you will buy an Insurance cover for your child after watching this movie .... ha well back to the story John he is a hell of a father .... father can do anything to save his son's life
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October 15, 2009With health reform being in the news today, YOU should watch this movie and understand just how badly the health care system as it was when they made this film, has gotten even worse then it was then. Denzel and Dina spybey are exceptional in the work here. We should be ashame...( read more)
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October 13, 2009Its amazing what a father would do for the safety and wellbeing of his son/daughter whom he loves,,,,,, loved this flick....please, check it out!
Critic Reviews
February 16, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
February 15, 2002
Claudia Puig, USA Today
One can excuse the movie's missteps and melodramatic moments in the greater interest of the strong statement it makes about our health care system. full review
February 15, 2002
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
[Cassavetes and Kearns] stacked the deck so much that the movie becomes absurd. full review
February 15, 2002
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
Timidly dips its toe into important issues only to abandon them for cheap entertainment prancing around in faux sackcloth. full review
February 15, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It is so earnest, so overwrought and so wildly implausible that it begs to be parodied. full review
February 14, 2002
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
This is an A-list cast toiling on a C-list screenplay ... and working for a director whose agenda -- and propagandist tactics -- get the better of him. full review
February 14, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
An exploitative mess trying to pass as social activism. full review
Comments
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January 23, 2008Great actors, great story, this could have been a great movie, but it kinda sucked. What a waste!
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November 7, 2007Im a father and I would do the same thing he did if I were in similar circumstances. I didnt cry in the movie but I felt like I wanted to.
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