Desperate Measures
Desperate Measures

Movie spotlight

Desperate Measures

1998
Movie
100 min
English

San Francisco police officer Frank Connor is in a frantic search for a compatible bone marrow donor for his gravely ill son. There's only one catch the potential donor is convicted multiple murderer Peter McCabe who sees a trip to the hospital as the perfect opportunity to get what he wants most: freedom. With McCabe's escape, the entire hospital becomes a battleground and Connor must pursue and, ironically, protect the deadly fugitive who is his son's only hope for survival.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes35%
Metacritic44/100
Google Users65%
Director: Barbet SchroederGenres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A driven detective, Frank Conner, is on the hunt for a serial killer while simultaneously battling a life-threatening illness that requires a bone marrow transplant. His only hope is a convicted murderer, Peter McCabe, who happens to be a perfect match. However, McCabe is far from cooperative, revealing a manipulative and dangerous nature as he orchestrates a deadly game of cat and mouse within the confines of the prison.

Critical Reception

Desperate Measures received a mixed to negative reception from critics. While the premise offered potential for suspense, many found the execution to be predictable and formulaic, with some criticizing the plot's plausibility and the performances, despite the presence of talented actors. Audiences were similarly divided, with some enjoying the thriller elements while others found it to be a forgettable entry in the genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • A predictable thriller that relies too heavily on clichés.

  • The performances of Andy Garcia and Michael Keaton are overshadowed by a weak and implausible plot.

  • Lacks the necessary tension and originality to stand out in the crime thriller genre.

Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a somewhat entertaining but ultimately uninspired thriller. While some appreciated the action sequences and the performances of the lead actors, many felt the story was predictable and lacked genuine suspense, leading to a generally lukewarm reception.

Fun Fact

Michael Keaton was reportedly considered for the role of Detective Frank Conner before Andy Garcia was cast, and Keaton ultimately took on the villainous role of Peter McCabe.

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