by Vicky Martinez
Staff Writer
What is an HMO? The answer to this question is clearly explained in the new PG-13-rated drama “John Q.” The movie features Oscar nominee Denzel Washington in the character John Q. Archibald, a desperate father whom the health system fails, leaving him nothing more than an extreme decision to save his son’s life.
Directed by Nick Cassavetes and written by James Kearns, “John Q,” presents one of the major health problems that America faces, HMOs. The positive intentions of this film in regards to public health are evident; however this films suffers a lack of consistency. There are funny and comic scenes while nine-year-old Mike Archival (Daniel E. Smith) lays dying on a hospital bed.
The opening scene foreshadows the climax and conclusion of the film, which leaves the film with almost no suspense.
The plot has little complexity. Archibald (Denzel Washington) is an ordinary man who works at a factory and takes care of his family despite his economical problems. His wife, Denise (Kimberly Elise) helps to portray the “typical”, perfect family. But then Michael falls seriously ill and needs emergency heart transplant operation that his father cannot afford and his health insurance will not cover. Archibald vows then to do whatever it takes to keep his son alive.
Archibald starts selling all of his possessions, including his home appliances, to raise $250,000, which is the cost of the heart transplant operation. With time and options running out, Archibald takes the emergency room of the Chicago Memorial Hospital hostage.
As a desperate father holding hospital staff at gunpoint after his HMO denies his child a heart transplant, Archibald, along with the hostages, begin a deep examination of the health crisis in America.
The HMOs, which have been the center of attention are the objects of criticism in this movie.HMOs are portrayed as an incentive for physicians not to treat patients.
It is also said that HMOs make money by not providing a product that can save the life of a patient.
As Archibald barricades himself inside the hospital along with his unwilling emergency room hostages (many of them in need of medical care themselves) he faces off with Grimes, a veteran police hostage negotiator (Robert Duvall) and an ambitious, hot tempered police chief (Ray Liotta).
Monroe, the Chicago Police Chief, wants to bring a swift end to the stand off by shooting Archibald.
Monroe’s risky action comes to a peak when Archibald is shot on live television creating a sense of sympathy for him.
The movie concludes with an emotional scene of John and his family after the successful heart transplant operation. Archibald is taken to trial, but he is not convicted of any serious crime.
“John Q” is definitely not Washington’s best film, but what prevents this movie from becoming a total fiasco is its direct criticism to the HMOs and the health care system which movie goers can directly relate to once they understand the whole situation.
