Search - John Q. on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Adult Language Movie Release: 2002 DVD Release: 07/16/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 52 mins Studio: New Line Home Video Total Copies: 81 Genres: Drama, Medical Drama, Crime Drama See Also: John Q. [Blu-ray]

A national health care crisis in the United States yields this tense drama from screenwriter James Kearns and director Nick Cassavetes, who experienced a real-life dilemma with his daughter's congenital heart disease that mirrors the one in this film. Denzel Washington stars as John Q. Archibald, a factory worker facing financial hardship as a result of reduced hours in his workplace. When his young son, Michael (Daniel E. Smith), is stricken during a baseball game, John and his wife, Denise (Kimberly Elise), discover that their child is in need of an emergency heart transplant. Although the Archibalds have health insurance, they are informed by hospital administrator Rebecca Payne (Anne Heche) that their policy doesn't cover such an expensive procedure. Unable to raise the money himself, John persuades the hospital's compassionate cardiac surgeon, Dr. Raymond Turner (James Woods), to waive his lofty fee, but is still left with too much of a financial burden to bear. With no recourse but to take his son home to die, John snaps and holds the staff and patients of the hospital's emergency room hostage at gunpoint. John is soon a media hero, the focus of intense news coverage, even as police chief Gus Monroe (Ray Liotta) and hostage negotiator Frank Grimes (Robert Duvall) try to resolve the situation before it leads to bloodshed. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Denzel Washington - John Q. Archibald
Robert Duvall - Frank Grimes
James Woods - Dr. Raymond Turner
Kimberly Elise - Denise Archibald
Daniel E. Smith - Mike Archibald
Anne Heche - Rebecca Payne

Whether you enjoyed John Q or found it preachy, manipulative and overly sentimental, there is no denying that New Line has released another fine DVD. The image, which is framed at 1.85:1 and is anamorphic, is nearly perfect. Nearly because while colors are very vivid, they do look a little over-saturated at times, especially reds, which are prominent at certain points in the film. Otherwise, it's a remarkable transfer with wonderful detail. The sound, with both 5.1 English Dolby Digital and DTS tracks, is also quite strong. Granted, it does seem to be more centered up front, without any significant use of the surround speakers, but the overall effect is still evident. This disc is another in the "Infinifilm" line, and the extras showcase how good that series can be. Just to begin with is a commentary track with director Nick Cassavetes, producer Mark Burg, writer James Kearns, actress Kimberly Elise and cinematographer Roger Stoffers. In addition there is a 35-minute documentary, "Fighting for Care" which takes a look at the state of health care in the United States. Granted, this might be a one-time thing to watch, but is obviously relevant to the picture. Also included is a shorter piece on the making of the film, which is more PR than anything, but still has some interesting comments on the making of the film. Finally, along with the theatrical trailer and press kits for the cast and crew, are six deleted and extended scenes which run around 20 minutes. As with all in this series you can watch these extras alone or while watching the "Infinifilm" version where pop-ups alert you to this additional material while watching the movie. New Line has done it again, producing a fine disc throughout. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide