EXTREME MEASURES
1/2
Joshua Wan
Directed by: Michael Apted
Produced by: Simian Films
Cast: Hugh Grant, Gene Hackman, Sarah Jessica Parker.
Run Time: Approx. 118 Minutes
Rating: **1/2 out of *****
Dr. Guy Luthan (Hugh Grant) is a bright young doctor with a brilliant future who stumbles upon a less than savoury medical research program involving experimentation with human subjects. His investigation unearths some shocking details- from cruelty and t orture of subjects to high level cover-up. The progam seems to involve one of the country's most revered medical figures, Dr. Lawrence Myrick, a high-profile award winning neuro-surgeon played by the ubiquitous Gene Hackman. As Luthan gets closer to Myric k, he finds his credibility, career and safety being systematically destroyed.
This is an OK movie. The premise is interesting in an 80's thriller kind of way , sort of a Millenium meets ER- intrigue, suspense, morality issues,white hospital smocks etc., and director Michael Apted is no slouch either (GORILLAS IN THE MIST, COAL MINE R'S DAUGHTER). Trouble is, Hugh Grant is not an African gorilla and definitely not a Sissy Spacek. When he barks "stat!" in the emergency room all you want to do is cradle him in your arms and coo "there, there...". Granted, much is done to deglamourize H ugh, and the movie does have a gritty/New York look, but it needs the leading role to be more of a "bewildered everyman"-average Joe to whom bad things happen. Grant has got the "bewildered" part down but he definitely isn't an "everyman," that marvellous head of hair and charming British accent doing more harm to his credibility than Myrick's brutal scalpel.
Despite these odds though, Grant does well. He is an extremely gifted actor and in this movie we see new dimension in his craft. Gene Hackman is impeccable as usual as the protagonist for the movie's main ethical issue: is it all right to sacrifice the lives of a few for the eventual good of many. Of course, our main question is -- is it alright to sacrifice $7 and 2 good hours to find out? I'm still not quite convinced that it is.
Conclusion: see it if you're a hugh grant fan or if you have the afternoon off. not 'must-see' by a long shot.
The Flying Inkpot Rating System:
* Wait for the TV2 broadcast.
** A little creaky, but still better than staying at home with Gotcha!
*** Pretty good, bring a friend.
**** Amazing, potent stuff.
***** Perfection. See it twice.
Joshua Wan plays jazz piano and watches a minimum of 6 hrs of tv a day.Read other movie reviews at the Inkpot
Other film reviews by this writer can be obtained from the InkVault by doing a key word search with this writer's name.Other film reviews by other writers can also be obtained from the InkVault through key word searches.
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