Extraordinary Measures
Movie Review
"Extraordinary Measures"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: B-
Rating: PG
Released: Friday, January 22, 2010
Directed by:
Cast:
Three friends of mine pointed out, independently of one another, that the commercials for "Extraordinary Measures" make it look like a TV movie. This is partially explained by its being a production of CBS Films, the newly formed film branch of the network, but also by its movie-of-the-week subject matter: It's a tearful melodrama about a father trying to find a cure for his children's illness. Apart from a few swear words, this could easily air on CBS, warm a few hearts, then be forgotten.
I am pleased to report, though, that it's not bad. While the genre often lends itself to shameless manipulation, this entry is decent and respectable, earning its tears rather than jerking them. The story -- based on the real events chronicled in Geeta Anand's book "The Cure" and fictionalized by screenwriter Robert Nelson Jacobs ("Chocolat," "The Shipping News") -- eventually arrives at the usual destination, but it takes a few unexpected roads to get there. It's a sappy film that you don't have to feel too guilty for enjoying.
The father, John Crowley, a Portland pharmaceutical executive, is played by Brendan Fraser, an actor who bleeds sincerity. John and his wife, Aileen (Keri Russell), have three young children, two of whom have a deadly metabolic disorder called Pompe disease. There is no effective treatment, but John believes a university scientist has done the research necessary to develop one, if only he had enough funding. The university would rather put that money toward the football team, naturally.
The scientist is a cranky buzzard named Robert Stonehill, played by a cranky buzzard named Harrison Ford. Crowley's partnership with him and their efforts to get the money needed to finish his work and concoct the cure comprise the bulk of the film. Crowley knows the business side of pharmaceuticals but not the science side; Stonehill can impress boards of directors with his knowledgeable use of phrases such as "usable enzymes" and "clinical trials," if he can just keep his misanthropy in check.
No real explanation is ever given for Stonehill's grumpiness. I get the impression he's written that way either because movies are "supposed" to have odd couples, or because that's just the way Harrison Ford showed up on the set. As far as the story is concerned, there's no particular reason for Stonehill to be cantankerous, except to create false suspense over whether he'll ruin things for Crowley. The thing is, we know he genuinely wants to help Crowley -- the man's kids' lives are at stake, for crying out loud -- so why doesn't he tone down his intentionally obnoxious behavior? Blasting classic-rock music after being politely asked by fellow researchers to turn the volume down is unhelpful.
The film gives us a look behind the scenes at the pharmaceutical industry's research and development levels, with the expected battle over profits versus people -- or, as Crowley puts it, "This is not about a return on an investment! It's about kids! Kids with names!" Crowley's afflicted ones are named Megan (Meredith Droeger) and Patrick (Diego Velazquez). Megan, the older one, confined to a wheelchair as her muscles and organs fail, is the one assigned by the film to crack through Dr. Stonehill's shell.
But here I've made the film sound more trite than it is. In truth, as directed by Tom Vaughan ("Starter for 10," "What Happens in Vegas"), it comes across less heavy-handed and more earnest -- not "subtle," exactly, but within the range of mawkishness that is acceptable to humans. Its biggest problem, actually, isn't its sentimental subject matter but the fact that its middle section drags due to a lull in the story. Other than that, there's nothing terribly wrong with it, although I still think it would have fit better on TV.
Grade: B-
Rated PG, moderate profanity
1 hr., 45 min.
Copyright © Eric D. Snider.
This work may not be transmitted via the Internet, nor reproduced in any other way, without written consent from Eric D. Snider.
This item has 9 comments
January 22, 2010 at 4:57 am
Good point about the commercials. I didn't notice at the time but now that I'm thinking about it, I know what your friend's mean about the tv movie like commercials. On a separate note, they keep comparing this to The Blind Side because it's "uplifting". I hate when the commercials try to compare the movie they are advertising to other movies. It rarely works. It almost seems like you're desperate because you don't have a good enough product. I'm pretty sure I remember the commercials for Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant mentioned Twilight. It's really rare that the movies are 1/10 of the success as the movie that they try to ride the coattails of. I've noticed that many times in the past.
January 22, 2010 at 8:46 am
i was hoping you would show a picture of grampa simpson.
January 22, 2010 at 9:09 pm
"No real explanation is ever given for Stonehill's grumpiness."
He's an academic. Most of them are cranky by default.
January 23, 2010 at 11:11 am
After seeing the "I already work around the clock!" part of the trailers (that is suspiciously absent from the later trailers), I don't think I can see this movie. The whole time I would just be waiting for that line so I could laugh silently to myself.
January 25, 2010 at 12:14 pm
@Ampersand: Most academics have earned their grumpiness! Through hard work and a slavish focus on things that matter almost not at all to other people, except when they are being tested on them. Also, through the often extraordinary competition one must endure to achieve one of these oddly coveted spots!
January 29, 2010 at 8:22 am
Dave refers to academics having a "focus on things that matter almost not at all to other people, except when they are being tested on them." Hahaha! My college experience exactly. Well said, Dave.
February 27, 2010 at 8:27 am
"Hurray!" that Hollywood is finally once again making PG movies that are not animated!!! My friends critiqued the script as not being realistic, but I thought that it was all right. The only thing that didn't seem likely was the seoond birthday party, I doubt that Meagan living in a new place and probably as her illness had progressed had not been attending regular school would have known as many nine year girls as the movie portrayed. It did do a nice job of showing the progression of the once vibrant girl with the amazing attitude no longer being able to do what she could. I would have liked to have seen more done with the character of Patrick. Keri Russell did an amazing job, but more could have been shown with how she got involved in the fight for the enzyme. Brendan Fraser was very likeable. So nice to see a kind concerned father portrayed on film. It was a blast from the past of '60's t.v., and the likes of Fred MacMurray aka Steven Douglas.
March 1, 2010 at 7:05 am
@Linda: You would be surprised at just how many nine-year-olds those Pompe's disabled girls can get to know.
My friend, whose name was used a medical institute dedicated to this disease (by Dr. Crowley), had the biggest birthday parties of anyone I knew with as much as 30 or more screaming girls in attendance. She had a personality that was giving and beat the odds of survival long enough to express it and make tons of friends.
Some people are so nice that they are infectious, even when they can't participate in life the same way as others do.
This disease is real, and hopefully this film will bring a bit of awareness to the cause. I'm glad they made it, at least. It will remind me of the fun times I had with my friend with Pompe's and why she fought so hard and hung on for so long. (: Some people in the world do care, and that's a good thing to be reminded of instead of always watching gore and slaughter.
July 1, 2011 at 3:35 am
watched the movie yesterday and i was inspired by the father who had sleepless nights for the children's lives