Well, if you didn't hate HMO's before this movie, you sure will afterwards. My thirteen-year-old daughter isn't sure what an HMO is, but she is sure it's something evil after seeing "John Q". It's fun having something to hate in a movie, and something to love: Denzel Washington. His performance is excellent, as usual. And Eddie Griffith is funny, as usual. The movie, though, was predictable. Sometimes that's OK, if all you wanna do is forget your troubles and just enjoy somebody else going through a difficult time. Which is what happens to Denzel/John Q!

Without giving too much away, John Q.'s son suddenly falls quite ill and needs a heart transplant or he will die. John finds out his insurance is inadequate due to some unknown provision that was "snuck in there" when he went part-time at his job. Of course, he didn't WANT to go part-time, but times are tough at the plant. His wife has only been at her job a short time and coverage hasn't taken effect yet. The community helps, the mean hospital administrator (played very well by Anne Heche) doesn't help, the cardiac surgeon (played adeptly by James Woods)can't help, etc. etc.

John must take matters into his own hands, because he loves his son too much not to...(so if you don't take over a hospital, your love isn't QUITE as strong????) I won't give away anything else...but it is what one expects at a tear-jerker (or maybe not, you decide!!)Anyway, it's worth it for an escape vehicle, but don't expect any real surprises or deep dialogue or meaning, just expect to love Denzel and hate HMO's.

Recommended:
Yes

Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older
Special Effects: Well at least you can't see the strings