 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
John Q
- Review Date: November 9, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Thought-provoking. Too intense for young teens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is an intense film that deals with themes of death and failures of the medical system. These might be a lot for some kids to handle, particularly since a young boy's life hangs in the balance for most of the film. Violence and foul language are sporadic, limited to short scenes or moments. Fighting, stabbing, gunshots, attempted murder, and attempted suicide are featured in the film.
What's the story?
When John (Denzel Washington) and Denise's (Kimberly Elise) son Mike (Daniel E. Smith) is diagnosed with a fatal heart condition, the parents are put in a tight spot. As working class parents, their health care will not cover the cost of the necessary transplant operation. So they do all they can to raise the $250,000 needed to save their son's life. But when the hospital decides to discharge Mike, John decides to take matters into his own hands. So he holds an emergency room hostage, his ransom being to get his son on the donor list for a heart transplant.
Is it any good?
While predictable, JOHN Q is gripping on a number of accounts. For one, the current state of the health care system is put on trial in this film. Make no mistake, this film is social commentary. And the message it states is loud and clear. Despite its preachiness, John Q is entertaining and features an especially fine performance by Washington, whose portrayal of a father's desperation is very palpable.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about John's actions. Are they justifiable? This film presents a perfect opportunity to talk about the status of the health care system in the United States. Is the current system fair? Should medical care be tied to ones ability to pay for it? Why or why not?
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AGE
Fantastic Movie For Older, Mature Teens
I think mature teens and up should see this movie. It's a very sad movie which deals with self-sacrifice, death, medical issues, and the sorts, the love between the father and son in this movie will touch your heart. There are a few mature themes in this movie towards the end dealing with self sacrifice (i.e. Suicide) a hustage situation, and a little bit of language, this movie will not dissapoint. I recomend parents watching it first, or watching it with your teenager.
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AGE
Readz!!!
This movie is sad but good and if you are looking for a good cry this is the movie for you i was only 10 when i saw this movie and it made me cry and i never cry at movies it was just a pretty good movie
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AGE
15 and up.
john Q is a good movie that's perfect for your older teens and parents you need to know that john Q has some heavy themes that maybe too much for your younger kids such as self sacrifice, suicide, and a hostage situation the movie does have a little bit of violence also characters used some strong language throughout the movie the message in the movie however is that the boy's father resorts to criminal behavior in order to get medical attention for his dying son criminal behavior does have consequences of what your actions are and what choice you make.
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Kid, 12 years old
May 6, 2011
AGE
I LOVE this movie. I'm 11 yrs., and it's my fave. There's a lot of BLOOD, but I don't have an issue because I wanna be a heart surgeon. But young teens understand more than you parents think... Good AND bad. I think it's fine to let your kids see this.
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| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Nick Cassavetes |
| Cast: | Denzel Washington, James Woods, Robert Duvall |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 116 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 15, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | July 16, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | violence, language and intense thematic elements |
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