Film Review: Extraordinary Measures

Medical flick falters despite lead actors Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser

Posted on Jan. 24, 2010, at 11:28 p.m.

It’s not surprising that emerging studio CBS Films bankrolled “Extraordinary Measures.” The film feels like a TV movie, with nothing theatrical about this sentimentalized, “based on true events” medical drama. It’s clear that the only reason it is even seeing a theatrical release is the involvement of Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser.

Fraser plays Cliché No. 36, a well-meaning father willing to do whatever it takes to help his sick kids who have been given less then a year to live. Ford plays Cliché No. 23, a brilliant misanthrope who helps Fraser and slowly develops a conscience along the way. With such an odd pairing of actors, one would think that maybe something special was there, something no one ever thought of but makes perfect sense when seen.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. The two have no chemistry, and the film plays like spending two long and boring hours with the couple in your circle of friends that’s together out of convenience rather then attraction.

Ford hasn’t been in anything good for about 15 years, and this doesn’t offer any ray of hope for the fans of Han Solo, Jack Ryan and Indiana Jones. The spark and rogue-ish grin is gone, leaving us with only a grumpy old man and an odd feeling of obligation to listen to him in thanks for the memories he provided us with. As he stumbles around, growling lines like “I don’t care about money, I’m a scientist!” and “I already work around the clock,” one wonders why he’s even showing up for work anymore.

Fraser gives it his all, trying to make scenes work and carrying a lot of the weight that should be shared between he and Ford. But his skill as an actor is in wit and humor, not in dramatic pieces. Just as his character is desperate to give his kids life, Fraser is desperate to pump some life into this movie that is pretty much dead on arrival. If anyone’s to blame here, it certainly isn’t him. He tries his best, and maybe if his costar were more apt to play we’d have gotten something at least mildly entertaining.

Make no mistake: “Extraordinary Measures” is an incredibly dull movie. It’s being advertised as a heartwarming family film about hope and devotion, but those who show up will discover a movie about men in suits and lab coats yelling at each other in offices, with shots of sick children sprinkled in to manipulate the weak into crying at the end. Who knew saving the lives of countless children could be so boring?

This is a picture destined to be on 9 a.m. Sunday on Lifetime. It’s something to play in the background as you sip your coffee and read the paper — nothing too eye-catching or distracting. It passes the time, but not well. The moment you’re done with the crossword and ready for your day, you will turn it off without a moment’s hesitation and forget about it immediately.

Grade: D

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 24th, 2010, 11:28 pm. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.