Summary In the 2002 film, John Q, John Q. Archibald, an American factory worker that has been the victim of a declining economy, and is faced with the difficulty of paying for medical services when his son is struck down at a baseball game with heart failure due to a congenital defect. The movie portrays a typical American family who falls on hard times financially only to have their son also become critically ill. Overriding Grimes’ command, Monroe allows a SWAT sniper to enter the ER via an air shaft, luring John into the line of fire with a phone call from Denise. Denzel wants to commit suicide in order to give his son a heart. | They may only hear the good news." Throughout the movie, there is a compelling display of the love shared by a family and this is seen in the great lengths John went to save his son, however unlawful. John Quincy Archibald takes a hospital emergency room hostage when his insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant. Shooting took place for 60 days from August 8 to November 3, 2000. The movie “John Q” narrates a story of the financially constrained character John Quincy Archibald who ensures that his nine year old son at the brink of death, secures a heart transplant by any means possible. John Q. Archibald is a fictional character in a 2002 movie starring Denzel Washington. Denzel Washington’s new movie, JOHN Q, mines yesterday’s headlines to create an action drama focusing on one man’s desperate attempts to get medical treatment for his dying son. The hospital informs them that his son needs a heart transplant in order to survive. Parents Guide. The film was shot in Toronto,[1] Hamilton, Ontario, and Canmore, Alberta, although the story takes place in Chicago. And the message it states is loud and clear. The hospital requires a $75,000 down payment to place Michael on the organ recipient list, and John discovers that because of his job's recent changes to their insurance carrier and his working hours, his health insurance will not cover the surgery. Introduction John Q. the movie was produced in 2002 and starred Denzel Washington (Burg, 2002). They also mentioned how SWAT team advisors for the film related a similar true incident in Toronto where a man (Henry Masuka) took an ER hostage after it would not provide immediate service to his infant son on New Year's Eve 1999. He realized that his insurance does not cover the medical expenses and he … Story centers on a man whose nine-year-old son is in desperate need of a life-saving transplant. Vowing to do whatever it takes to keep his son alive, John Q decides his only hope is a desperate gamble, and he takes the emergency room hostage. Storyline. For one, the current state of the health care system is put on trial in this film. He lays down on the operating table, pulls out his gun, and shoots but nothing happens because he put the lock on earlier. Police arrive not long after, and negotiator Lt. Frank Grimes makes contact with John, who identifies himself as “John Q.” and demands that Payne put Michael’s name on the recipient list. Actors: Denzel Washington, Ray Liotta, Robert DuVall. Then his wife tells him that they have a heart, and it ends up being from the girl who got in the crash at the beginning! Across the country in Chicago, factory worker John Quincy Archibald and his wife Denise face financial trouble due to the ongoing recession. This movie Denzel Washington stars as John Quincy Archibald, a husband and father whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart. As the movie begins, we are introduced to John, his wife, Denise. A woman drives recklessly down on a winding road, eventually fatally colliding with a truck. The film co-stars Robert Duvall, Kimberly Elise, Anne Heche, James Woods, and Ray Liotta. John Q Synopsis Favorite Movie Button Overview; Movie Times + Tickets; Movie Reviews; More. John Q is the story of a working class African American family. When he discovers that his medical insurance won’t cover the costs of the surgery and alternative government aid is unavailable, John Q. Archibald (Denzel Washington) takes a hospital emergency room hostage in a last-ditch attempt to save his child. His son is diagnosed with cardiomegaly and he needs a heart transplant. Summaries John Quincy Archibald takes a hospital emergency room hostage when his insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant. At the end, from the change of heart of Rebecca Payne, John Q’s son is finally provided the heart transplant, and John Q is left to face numerous charges. Directed by Nick Cassavetes. Summary: John Q. Archibald (Washington) is an ordinary man who must face the fact that his health insurance will not pay for the emergency heart transplant that is his son's only hope. According to the commentary on the Deleted Scenes with Cassavetes and writer James Kearns, the main theme of the movie was said to be "about a miracle and John's faith in God creating the miracle". He overpowers the sniper, using him as a human shield as he steps outside and reiterates his demands in front of a cheering crowd. conclusion: John Q jumps on several social soapboxes: the healthcare system, the mistreatment of the working poor, political posturing, media exploitation. John Q. Archibald: (stands on a table addressing the room) This hospital is under new management, ladies and gentlemen. Taglines Make no mistake, this film is social commentary. The movie's title character takes an emergency room hostage to get a heart transplant for his dying son. As John is driven to jail to await his prison sentence, a now-healthy Michael thanks him. He persuades Turner to perform the operation, and Julie and security guard Max Conlin bear witness to John’s impromptu will. | Synopsis Unfortunately, the movie can’t decide which cause it really wants to champion. Out of options, John Q. takes the emergency room staff and patients hostage until hospital doctors agree to do the transplant. The movie “John Q” is filled with ethical and moral dilemmas throughout its course. They rush their young son Michael to the hospital when he collapses at his baseball game, and are informed by cardiologist Dr. Raymond Turner and administrator Rebecca Payne that Michael needs an expensive heart transplant to survive. John Quincy Archibald's son Michael collapses while playing baseball as a result of heart failure. Unfortunately, John's insurance won't cover his son's transplant. John Q (2002) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Once the heart arrives, John releases the remaining hostages, including patient Lester Matthews, who surrenders to police disguised as John. This movie is about John Quincy Archibald (played by Denzel Washington) and his working class family who lived in Chicago. As you can see, Mike's heart is approximately three times normal size. John is acquitted of attempted murder and armed criminal action, but convicted of kidnapping and false imprisonment; his lawyer assures him that he will likely serve no more than two years. Despite its preachiness, John Q is entertaining and features an especially fine performance by Washington, whose portrayal of a father's desperation is very palpable. Prompted by his wife's plea that he "do something," John Q arrives at the hospital Emergency Department ready for action. The film opened in first place at the box office, taking $23,275,194 during its first weekend. John rushes Michael to a hospital emergency room where he is informed that Michael's only hope is a transplant. Plot Keywords John Q is an emotionally-packed movie that surrounds the unfortunate medical circumstances of John, played by Denzel Washington, and his son. It gives us a clear notion of the duties of public servants, and private administrators with regards to ethical decision they face in the daily execution of duties in communities they represent. NURS 360 Dr. Schantz March 8, 2011 Abstract The film John Q provides a model for the analysis and demonstration of ethical principles of distributive justice as they pertain to healthcare and, more specifically, organ allocation in the face of scarcity. John Quincy Archibald takes a hospital emergency room hostage when his insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant. "[5] Metacritic gives it a score of 30 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". It ended up with a total domestic gross of $71,026,631 and $102,244,770 worldwide. The child needs a heart transplant to survive and the health maintenance organization (HMO) will not cover the costs. | The purpose of the film was to raise the many issues surrounding poor health care in the United States, and even less empathy from hospital administration and insurance companies. Even so, the character who is most identifiable as a nurse is a kind, knowledgeable ICU nurse (actor unknown) who explains to John and Denise some aspects of their son's condition and care. The film opens to a young woman (Gabriela Oltean) recklessly driving a BMW down a mountain highway. He gains control with a gun (Later, we learn that it is unloaded), pulls chains from a duffel bag to padlock the doors, and makes it known that in exchange for the release of hostages, the administration is to grant permission for his son's heart transplant. Detailed plot synopsis reviews of John Q. John Q. Archibald is a loving family man facing financial problems because of factory cutbacks. The movie “John Q” deals with the issue of “necessary evil”. In the film John Q, the Archibald family faces a tragedy when their son is found to be diagnosed with critical heart issues. John rushes Michael to a hospital emergency room where he is informed that Michael's only hope is a transplant. "John Q" generally pays little attention to accuracy or balance in depicting health care activities. Movie Review Summary. However, the institutions within the movie provide an ethical dilemma, while reflecting the reality within our current society. John Quincy Archibald's son Michael collapses while playing baseball as a result of heart failure. "John Q." Story centers on a man whose nine-year-old son is in desperate need of a life-saving transplant. As can be seen, this controversial and thought-provoking film, John Q., leaves its viewers with the horrifying realization of the numerous unethical organizations society is now congested with. John reveals his intention to commit suicide so his own heart can be used to save his son. Handcuffing Mitch, John frees expectant couple Steve and Miriam Smith and immigrant mother Rosa Gonzales and her infant son, who all declare their support for John to the news crews outside. The film tells the story of John Quincy Archibald (Denzel Washington), a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and who finds out he is unable to receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it, before he decides to hold up the hospital and force them to do it. With Denzel Washington, Robert Duvall, Gabriela Oltean, Kimberly Elise. Ending the call, John discovers the hacked news footage as the sniper fires, wounding him in the shoulder. The film was released on February 15, 2002. Be Honest Ethical Principles "Be very careful about what you say to patients. Monroe and the hospital capitulate, and Michael is brought to the ER in exchange for the sniper’s release. After being hit by two trucks, she dies (this whole ordeal is interspersed throughout the movie). There is no real John Q. Posing as one of the surgeons, John accompanies his son to the operating room, where a sympathetic Grimes, who was the only one to notice the switch between him and Lester, finds him with Denise and allows him to watch Michael’s successful operation before taking him into custody. When he exited the ER he was shot and killed and found to be carrying an unloaded pellet gun.[2][3][4]. The film tells the story of John Quincy Archibald (Denzel Washington), a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and who finds out he is unable to receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it, before he decides to hold up the hospital and force them to do it. John Q. The film stars Denzel Washington as John Q. Archibald, a Chicago factory worker whose apparently healthy son collapses during a Little League game. Unfortunately, John's insurance won't cover his son's transplant. John Q. and his wife Denise ( Kimberly Elise ) race the kid to an emergency room, where his signs are stabilized and then a cardiologist ( James Woods ) explains that young Mike's heart is three times normal size. On at least one occasion, filming blocked off the access to the real emergency room of the real hospital. Grimes clashes with his superior Chief Gus Monroe, while most of the hostages sympathize with John and his plight and reflect on the flaws of the American healthcare system. Out of options, John Q. takes the emergency room staff and patients hostage until hospital doctors agree … Determined to save his son, John confronts Dr. Turner at gunpoint and takes him and several patients and staff hostage in the ER, but allows a gunshot victim inside to be treated. He says his goodbyes to Michael, and prepares to end his own life using the only bullet he brought, but Denise reaches the ER with news that the heart of a recently deceased organ donor – the motorist from the beginning of the film – is a match for Michael and is on the way. Adjacent to filming is a hospital. -Preserve Life -Do Good -Respect Autonomy -Uphold Justice -Be Honest -Be discreet -Keep Promises -Do no harm Keep Promises John Q -John (dad) goes to drastic measures Grimes and Payne reveal John’s actions to Denise, and Payne decides to place Michael on the list and perform the operation for free. Agreeing to release some of the patients, John is attacked by hostage Mitch Quigley, whose girlfriend Julie Byrd is fed up with Mitch’s abuse and helps to subdue him instead. After failing to acquire alternate aid from elsewhere, John and Denise struggle to raise the money themselves, and the hospital eventually prepares to send Michael home to die, leading a distraught Denise to urge John to do something. Persuasion is a concept evident in both scenes, and it has to do with one party causing another party to do something that it wants through reasoning or argument. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 23% based on the 131 reviews, with the site's consensus reading, "Washington's performance rises above the material, but John Q pounds the audience over the head with its message. In additional point, the movie also includes atleast three institutions namely;family, health and government.But the family and the HOPE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL were concerned more about the incident happpened because the were so much affected in a way that Mickey,as a member of the family is the responsibility of John Q. and Dennise as the guardians.While the hospital was involved in the … DR. TURNER (CONT'D) There are septal defects here, here, and here, which have induced a myopathy resulting pulmonary edema, and malignant ventricular ectopy. From now on, free care … John Q is successful in saving Michael’s life but ends up serving jail time nonetheless. John Q. is a 2002 American thriller drama film starring Denzel Washington and directed by Nick Cassavetes. Three months later, John’s actions have sparked national debate about healthcare, and all the hostages testify on his behalf at trial. John Q. and Denise stare nervously at the fleshy fist-sized organs on the translucent glass. and their 9 year old son. John speaks with Michael as his condition worsens, while a news crew hacks the police surveillance feed and broadcasts John’s conversation with his family. [6], "In tailspin after police shootings, former SWAT team leader lifts veil on post-traumatic stress syndrome", "Inquest into fatal hospital shooting begins", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Q.&oldid=1001182936, Fictional portrayals of the Chicago Police Department, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Daniel E. Smith as Michael "Mike" Archibald, This page was last edited on 18 January 2021, at 16:13. So it meanders among blatant stereotypes and flat characters. It was filmed in Canada in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec & in Chicago, Illinois. The movie was shot in a group of provincial government buildings in Toronto. was filmed from August 7th to November 3, 2000. Plot Summary When a financially-troubled father named John Q. Archibald (Denzel Washington) is encountering one hardship after another, disaster strikes when his young son Mike collapses during a little league baseball game. Upon taking him to a local hospital, he and his wife are told his son needs a heart transplant or he will die. John Q. is a 2002 American thriller drama film starring Denzel Washington and directed by Nick Cassavetes. The movie “John Q” narrates a story of the financially constrained character John Quincy Archibald who ensures that his nine year old son at the brink of death, secures a heart transplant by any means possible. He did not commit a real crime and did not spend any time in prison. 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