Movie Review for John Q featuring Robert Duvall, Denzell Washington, Ray Liotta, Kimberly Elise, and Eddie Griffin.

John Q. faces the same problem a lot of struggling Americans do today. As the film unfolds, some very critical issues surface. These are the backbone and the inspiration for this amazing film. Of course the film wouldn't be nearly as good without Denzel Washington. His emphatic portrayal of a man on the edge is without a doubt what brings audiences to the theaters for dramas in an already dramatic world.

I agree with New York Times reviewer Elvis Mitchell that the stereotypical collection of hostages is beneath the quality that an issue likes this deserves. If a situation like this really were to unfold, the likelihood that a stereotypical crayon box of characters probably wouldn't be available. Instead, it is more likely the true hostages in a situation like that would be burdened with enough sub-plot sequences that his problems wouldn't be limited to negotiating with police.

I'm not in agreement with Mr. Mitchell's suggestions however that Washington, and Duvall are doing great performances of a "ham-fisted' cliched predictable plot. When John Q. Archibald throws himself into the pot as an alternative, the plot thickens excitably. It might be far from possible, but it still intrigues. It might be those very predictable and fantastic elements that appeal to the public audience Washington's character stands for.

Just before Washington gets set to go under the knife, he tells the hostages that he will see them in the funny papers. The topic of this film may hit the serials, but this is not a movie to be joked about. Robert Duvall, Denzell Washington, Ray Liotta, Kimberly Elise, and Eddie Griffin bring stellar performances to another film I look forward to sharing.