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Desperate Measures
Desperate Measures
Actors: Michael Keaton, Andy Garcia, Brian Cox, Marcia Gay Harden, Erik King
Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Drama, Mystery & Suspense
R     1998     1hr 40min

TWO POWERFUL STARS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN THIS INTRIGUING THRILLER ABOUT A COP WHO MUST PROTECT A MURDERER IN ORDER TO SAVE HIS DYING SON. SCORCHING SUSPENSE AND KEATON'S HIGH-OCTANE PERFORMANCE MAKE FOR A KILLER COMBINATION.

     

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Movie Details

Actors: Michael Keaton, Andy Garcia, Brian Cox, Marcia Gay Harden, Erik King
Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Drama, Mystery & Suspense
Sub-Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Drama, Mystery & Suspense
Studio: Sony Pictures
Format: DVD - Color,Full Screen,Letterboxed - Closed-captioned
DVD Release Date: 05/27/1998
Original Release Date: 01/30/1998
Theatrical Release Date: 01/30/1998
Release Year: 1998
Run Time: 1hr 40min
Screens: Color,Full Screen,Letterboxed
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 0
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Languages: English, Spanish, French
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French

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Member Movie Reviews

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 2/22/2022...
Michael Keaton, Andy Garcia and others shine in this. Most of it was entertaining and action packed suspense. My only problem was the means to the end was a failure. The ending will most definitely trip you up in more than a couple ways.
Michel D. (michelann) from WALNUT GROVE, MO
Reviewed on 5/20/2016...
When Michael Keaton decides to take on a "creepy guy" role it's always entertaining! He ain't no Mr. MOM in this one! Andy Garcia as always is smooth sexy and excellent when it comes to acting so between the two this film is one to enjoy with a big bowl of popcorn and plenty to drink!
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Chris P. from SOUTH BEND, IN
Reviewed on 2/10/2014...
Pretty decent movie. Good story line.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Movie Reviews

Exciting, to say the least
L. Jerome | Silver Spring, Maryland USA | 01/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Keaton puts in another excellent turn as a bad guy. This time he's a multi-murdering felon in a maximum security prison.

Overall, this movie will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end. I agree that the plot is a bit unbelievable, but why should movies be believable anyway. Aren't movies supposed to transport you to another place where reality is temporarily suspended.

Deserves 5 stars for thrills, acting and dark humor.

"
Dramatic but never tragic
Jacques COULARDEAU | OLLIERGUES France | 09/09/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"A good film indeed but it does not compare to any Seven or Silence of the Lambs. It has punch, rhythm, inventiveness, creativity even. It has some good dramatic stuff with a kid who is going to die of leukemia as the main stake. It has the antagonistic situation needed for a good film with the only donor being the serial killer who is going to try anything he can to escape. A criminal donor for the son of a cop. We avoid the easy tear forcing unreal situations like when the child is confronted to the escaping criminal who had taken him hostage, but we are not far from it with a child of 9 slightly too mature for his breeches. The female doctor, or rather surgeon is quite valiant and faces danger with elegance and courage. But in spite of all it is nothing but an adventure film more than a thriller because we know the transplant will take place, hence we know the end and we also know that the killer is going to try to escape again and the last scene is outrageously amateurish on the side of the security forces. Well done, good rhythm, good suspense but not more than good, a few creative ideas but nothing really poignant with pathos at any moment.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines
"
Lack of plot, great suspense
sillyrabbit | 11/23/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's easy to see why DESPERATE MEASURES got bad reviews. The plot might have holes large enough to sail a barge through, and yes, it is quite implausable, but it's hard to completely diss a movie with performances and direction as good as this.Michael Keaton is eerily menacing as Peter McCabe in this film. He's smart, dangerous, and unpredictable, just like the character requires. Keaton easily does his best work yet as a serious actor. Andy Garcia proves once again that THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE DEAD was not a fluke, and that he really is capable of turning in one fine performance after another. While a couple of the supporting performances aren't up to the level they should be, it doesn't pull down the film.The direction by Barbet Schroeder is brilliant. THe noir style that the film was shot in works extremely well for the type of film this is. His odd camera angles and dark, brooding shots work perfectly with the dark story. The look of the smoke and fire is perfectly shot, and he should commend his cinematographer.The suspense, however, is what keeps this film kicking. Even though the lack plot tends to drag down a little bit of the film, it's still a guessing game most of the time, and Schroeder knows how to play this up. It's a shame that critics like Leonard Maltin couldn't look past the implausability at the truly excellent moments of the film. After all, they give truly implausable movies like CON AIR good reviews, and this film is FAR more realistic.DESPERATE MEASURES is a greatly underrated film that deserves a look. It's decently smart and a hell of a lot more entertaining than a lot of the drivel that Hollywood produces nowadays. *cough, Pearl Harbor, cough*"