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.

Flixster Users

83% liked it

75,953 ratings

Critics

22% liked it

126 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Nick Cassavetes

Release Date: February 15, 2002

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 16, 2002

Stats: 5,609 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (5,609)


  • December 17, 2008
    Slightly overwrought thriller. Needed a stronger director and probably one more re-write.
  • June 29, 2008
    Explosive idea for a film. Denzel Washington as usual puts on a great performance.
  • June 6, 2008
    A 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)ffic. Ray Liotta is electric. James Woods is excellent. Anne Heche is marvelous.
  • May 11, 2008
    not 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
  • March 28, 2008
    What's your take on Cassavetes? (Le Tigre song) Al-caholic!
  • November 10, 2009
    one of denzels best movies... a must watch ...
  • November 4, 2009
    I 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
  • October 15, 2009
    With 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)d that only the richest people and poorest people are the ones that have access to health care in america.. sigh.....
  • October 13, 2009
    Its 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!
  • October 11, 2009
    it's one of the best

Critic Reviews


February 16, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The movie's manipulations become so transparent that it can't really touch our emotions, especially since it fails to follow through honestly on its premise. full review

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

View more John Q reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • MorpheusOne
    January 23, 2008
    Great actors, great story, this could have been a great movie, but it kinda sucked. What a waste!
  • studdmufin04
    November 7, 2007
    Im 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.
  • froggygeek
    July 1, 2007
    i love this movie!
  • kamdenphillips
    June 28, 2006
    Great movie

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Inside Man
    Inside Man (65%)
  • Waist Deep
    Waist Deep (71%)
  • The Negotiator
    The Negotiator (77%)
  • Life Support
    Life Support (75%)

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings


John Q Trivia


  • In what movie did Denzel Washington hold up a hospital to get a heart transplant for his young son?  Answer »
  • In what movie did a hospital get taken hostage by a desprate father?  Answer »
  • what was john q's full name in the movie john q  Answer »
  • Which actor or actress can be attributed to the following titles? Remember the Titans John Q Inside Man Deja Vu The Manchurian Candidate Training Day  Answer »

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?