Give a father no options and you leave him no choice.|Feb. 15, 2002|USA|116 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Crime;Drama;Thriller
Description: In 2002, John Quincy Archibald, a factory worker in Chicago, faces a desperate situation when his young son, Michael, collapses during a baseball game. Rushed to the hospital, John and his wife, Denise, are informed by cardiologist Dr. Raymond Turner and administrator Rebecca Payne that Michael urgently needs a heart transplant. The procedure costs $250,000, with a $75,000 down payment required to place Michael on the transplant list. John discovers his health insurance does not cover the surgery, leaving him devastated.
Despite their efforts to raise the funds, John and Denise fall short. As the hospital prepares to send Michael home, John takes drastic action. He seizes the hospital’s emergency room, holding Dr. Turner, patients, and staff hostage at gunpoint. During the standoff, John permits the treatment of a gunshot victim, showing moments of humanity amidst his desperation.
Police negotiator Lt. Frank Grimes engages with John, who demands that Michael be added to the transplant list. Tensions rise as Grimes clashes with his superior, Chief Gus Monroe. Meanwhile, many of the hostages empathize with John’s plight, reflecting on the shortcomings of the American healthcare system. A nurse reveals that Michael’s condition could have been detected earlier during a routine checkup but was ignored by a doctor seeking bonuses from the insurance company.
John releases several hostages, including an expectant couple, an immigrant mother with her infant, and others, who publicly express their support for him. Eventually, Grimes and Payne inform Denise of John’s actions, and Michael is added to the transplant list. The surgery is performed pro bono, offering a glimmer of hope in a tense and emotional situation.
Cast director: William M. Connor
Cast actor: Denzel Washington, James Woods, Kimberly Elise, Robert Duvall, Shawn Hatosy, Eddie Griffin, Kevin Connolly, Ethan Suplee, Ray Liotta, Anne Heche
Original name: John Q