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John Q (2002)

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John Quincy Archibald takes a hospital emergency room hostage when his insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant.

Director:

Nick Cassavetes

Writer:

James Kearns
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Popularity
3,780 ( 883)
2 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gabriela Oltean ... Beautiful BMW Driver
Denzel Washington ... John Quincy Archibald
Kimberly Elise ... Denise Archibald
Ron Annabelle Ron Annabelle ... Tow Truck Driver
Daniel E. Smith ... Michael 'Mike' Archibald
David Thornton ... Jimmy Palumbo
Barry G. King Barry G. King ... Employee Manager
Laura Harring ... Gina Palumbo (as Laura Elena Harring)
Kevin Connolly ... Steve Maguire
Larissa Laskin ... Dr. Ellen Klein
Vanessa Branch ... Registered Nurse
Stephanie Moore ... Admitting Nurse
James Finnerty James Finnerty ... Nurse Reggie
Anne Heche ... Rebecca Payne
James Woods ... Dr. Raymond Turner
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Storyline

John Quincy Archibald's son Michael collapses while playing baseball as a result of heart failure. John rushes Michael to a hospital emergency room where he is informed that Michael's only hope is a transplant. Unfortunately, John's insurance won't cover his son's transplant. Out of options, John Q. takes the emergency room staff and patients hostage until hospital doctors agree to do the transplant. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Give a father no options and you leave him no choice.

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, language and intense thematic elements | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Release Date:

15 February 2002 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

John Q. See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$36,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$23,612,171, 17 February 2002, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$71,756,802

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$102,244,770
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Hanks was considered for the lead role. See more »

Goofs

When Dr. Turner passes through the doors into the glass corridor where John takes him hostage, you can see the feet of crew members behind the door below the white backdrop. See more »

Quotes

Rebecca Payne: [in her office] No, no, no. This is an appeal. An appeal is for an already existing claim. What you needed to file was a grievance. You filed the wrong paperwork.
John Q. Archibald: [sitting in front of her] Wait a minute...
Rebecca Payne: You're gonna have to resubmit. It could take up to 30 days.
John Q. Archibald: [turns frustrated] Look, I don't have 30 days.
Rebecca Payne: I know you don't.
John Q. Archibald: And quite frankly, I'm getting sick of the runaround. Now what I need is my son's name...
Rebecca Payne: Mr. Archibald, your account is in access of $30,000. The hospital has been over ...
[...]
See more »


Soundtracks

La La (Means I Love You)
Performed by Thom Bell and William Hart
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User Reviews

 
A Very Human and Affecting Drama...
21 December 2005 | by ijonesiiiSee all my reviews

Denzel Washington continues to prove why he is one of the best actors in the business with his performance in JOHN Q, a moving, emotional, and tension-charged drama about a family man whose son needs a heart transplant; however, due to financial problems, his insurance won't cover the cost of getting his son on the donor list so John Q decides to take hostages in the hospital until someone arranges for his son to be on the donor list. Despite a preachy and simplistic screenplay, the intense direction and first-rate performances make this film work. I particularly loved Denzel's work here because this was a character unlike he had ever played before...Denzel usually played well-educated, intelligent lawyers and/or businessmen (with the obvious exception of TRAINING DAY), but here Denzel is playing an average Joe...a working stiff, struggling to pay bills and keep food on the table and a roof over his family's head who is driven to extreme measures to protect the family he cherishes so dearly. Washington gets strong support from Robert Duvall, solid as always as the hostage negotiator, James Woods as a wimpy surgeon, Anne Heche as an unsympathetic hospital administrator, and especially Kimberly Elise as John's wife. An emotional drama, wrought with tension, that will rivet you to the screen.


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