John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) has a wonderful career, a beautiful wife (Keri Russell) and three kids. Unfortunately, two of his kids have Pompe Disease. This is a genetic disorder and the patients have an average life expectancy of 9 years. With his sick son at 6 and daughter at 8, John is spending his nights researching. His findings point him towards Professor Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford) who might have found a way to prevent dying from the disease. So he tracks Robert all the way to Nebraska.
Robert is a rocknroll-loving, eccentric man who loves to work by himself. He says that he needs $500,000, if he would ever have a shot at proving his method works and that it could be turned into proper medication. When Robert manages to scrape half of the money, Robert makes a business proposal. They should work together – John at the business end and Robert at the science. After all, what better way to concentrate all their efforts and speed up the process?
While it does make sense in a crazy way, John’s dilemma is huge. He has a really well-paying job that provides insurance. How is he going to take care of his family if their project failed? On the other hand, all the insurance in the world won’t matter- both his sick children have very little left and the current state of medicine can’t provide them any hope. Then there is another big issue. If John devotes all his time to building a business with Robert in Nebraska, then he will have lost from the what little time he has left with his children…
The story concentrates on the efforts of John and his relationship with both his family and Robert. As he embarks on a risky journey with him, he will have to fight against the profit-mindedness of the corporate world, Robert’s poor interpersonal relations and time….
This is a terrific movie. It is a very emotional journey, based on true events. With great story-telling and more than adequate acting, you keep your fingers crossed for the Crowley family through the entire movie. You curse at corporations, feel the pain and wish the disease never expected. You want to throw a couple of punches here and there, especially at the investors and managers.
Yes, I got carried away and loved the movie. How could I not? As you can imagine, this movie is not for entertainment. While it is humane and heart-felt and interesting, it is also intense and the race against time is nothing like the ones in action films. I am actually quite taken aback by the 6.3 rating on IMDB. Seriously? You know, John Crowley is told very often in the movie that he needs to be objective- that emotions and personal issues get in the way of medical research. But who can be more motivated than a father who’s desperately trying to save his children? What I am trying to say is that the rating does remind me of the apathy of the people John kept fighting against. No, I can’t be that objective with a story like this. A heart-felt 9/10 from me. And it is exteremely recommended for all fans of Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell.
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Canadian Celebrity Trivia fea.t Brendan Fraser
I never thought that Brendan Fraser would make me cry in a movie, but he did! He’s growing as true actor and I’m looking forward to see him in other movies like this one ! Excellent film; with a Harrison Ford as never seen before… and I simply love this side of his personality !!!!
I think I liked Brendan from early on. Not as a great actor, but a very likable entertainer with some great acting potential. And now, he has grown to that potential. what a terrific and humane movie. this just might be my favorite harrison ford movie. it was great to see a story where harison wasn’t trying to save his family but helping Brendan save his.
I loved the story, casting and pretty much everything about this film. glad you loved it as well. I watched it with my mother and she was affected even more (being a parent and all)…
Well, I am expecting great stuff from Brendan. And Harrison became one of my favorite actors:)
IMDB has to be kidding. 6.4? For this film? For me it is a 9.
Harrison has always been one of my favourites, since Indiana Jones! I’ve been his fan for ages…
For me, the film is a 9 too!
I have to confess that I wasn’t too keen on watching it. But, Alan insisted and now I’m so glad I did.
please send Alan my respects;) You know I was keen for you to watch this movie too.
I really don’t understand what some people expect from movies. Yes,
Inception was a great film and liked it and gave it an 8 or a 9 (can’t decide), but if I ever had to choose, I would take Extraordinary Measures. Sure, they are completely different topics and genres but it all comes down to the effect the movie has on you. And this one is one of the rare movies that puts you down, depresses you, worries you and then it also gives you hope.
Well, I had to see Harrison Ford had a cute, silly side to him before I could enjoy him throughly. I always felt that he took himself too seriously. So when he did 6 Days, 7 Nights, I was convinced that he wasn’t just an action/adventure man. He looks great in those films but his romantic and comedic sides are also priceless. I also like him in Sabrina. Did you see it?
Sabrina is one of my favourites, darling. Who would not fall in love with Linus Larrabee? I mean, Linus/Harrison and not Linus/Humphrey (terrible, expressionless actor!)…
I don’t like the genre of Extraordinary Measures. But, the movie worked and both Harrison and Brendan were brilliant !! Brendan has my admiration and respect from now on.
ha, ha. I don’t like Bogart either. harrison was the perfect older/hot guy. of course I’d make lose the bowtie:))))
What do you mean with its genre? medical dramas? I have nothing against them. some work and some don’t but this one definitely did. Glad you like Brendan;)