EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES
US, 2010, 105 minutes, Colour.
Brendan Fraser, Harrison Ford, Keri Russell, Meredith Droeger, Jared Harris, Patrick Bauchau, Alan Ruck, David Clennan, Dee Wallace, Courtney B. Vance.
Directed by Tom Vaughn.
The extraordinary measures of the title of this film about disease and cure are those of the scientists who research in order to find cures and the business people who want to provide healing drugs (and/or those who are interested in large profit margins).
The film is based on a true story, that of John Crowley and his family, with Crowley acting as consultor for the film (and appearing in a cameo as a business executive at a finance meeting). Perhaps the subject or those like it are more familiar from television series and movies. However, a lot of audiences will be caught up by the plight of the Crowley family who have two of their three children affected deeply by Pompe Disease, a rare neuromuscular disorder (more information quickly available from Wikipedia, plus a photo of Crowley who actually looks more photogenic than the bulky Brendan Fraser who plays him).
Crowley worked in Biotechnology and his investigations led him to Lincoln Nebraska and the work of an academic scientist, Robert Stonehill. He is played with gruff introversion and workaholic prickliness by Harrison Ford, who executive produced the film.
Meeting Stonehill was not easy for Crowley and their association over the years meant many conflicts between the theoretical and the pragmatic.
However, the film shows how much time, energy and finance is required to research theories and to test them and document trials of the drugs under development. It also reminds the audience that many researchers are in love with the abstract and need to come into contact with people, especially those with the illnesses. And it also reminds us that medication is big business and discussions can focus on profits rather than the healing of the patients. (An interesting comparison is the determination of the Odone family to find medication to help their son in Lorenzo's Oil as well as a modest British film for television, Breaking the Mould, with Dominic West as Howard Florey and the development and testing of penicillin during World War II.)
1.The film based on a true story? Emotional? Inspirational?
2.The American settings, Lincoln, Nebraska, the business world, the science world, the medical world? Ordinary people? The musical score and emotions?
3.John Crowley, his family, Aileen and the children, their life, work, struggles, ups and downs? His being a consultant for the film?
4.The introduction to Megan, bright, John and Patrick, the games at home, the party, turning eight, Megan’s joy? John’s arrival, late, perhaps Megan’s last birthday? John and his not being sick? Patrick and his frailty?
5.The introduction to Aileen, at home, caring for the children, love for them, her love for John? Her patience in dealing with her sick children? The nurses and the day help?
6.John, being late, his work, skills, business skill? His children’s illness? The phone calls to Robert Stonehill? Ignored? His phone call, being cut off, his anger? The presentation and his sudden urge to leave, going to Nebraska, waiting for the doctor, talking to him, listening to him, Stonehill and his attention because of the sick children? His theories and possible cures? Aileen worried about John’s journey to Nebraska? His promise to raise half a million dollars? The campaigns, the social functions, the visitors from interstate, Marcus Temple and his wife and their sick children? The success in raising the money?
7.Harrison Ford as Robert Stonehill, age, alone, eccentric, academic? The phone calls and his absentmindedness? John and his talk, the visit, his asking for grants because of universities not providing them? His idea of the company, John and his decisions, the business plan, financing, going to Chicago and the discussions with Doctor Renzler and his board? The conditions? Stonehill and his being upset and walking out?
8.Aileen and the decision to found the company, John leaving his job, the discussions with his boss, feeling urged to go out alone and face the risks? The family staying in Oregon? His weekend visits, being busy? Buying the new house?
9.Stonehill and his arrival at the house, meeting Megan, the sprint race? His not having real contact with children? A theoretical scientist, academic, hopes, his theories for enzymes and sugar? His work, the clashes with John? The finance meeting, walking out, John going back, the contract, persuading Stonehill to sign?
10.The forming of the company, the need to sell it? The meeting with Erich Loring and Doctor Kent Webber? The conditions, the negotiations? The company, the teams vying with each other instead of collaborating, John’s ideas? Robert Stonehill unable to cooperate? The falling out between them?
11.Erich and Kent, their management of the company, the experience of the visitors, the families with ill children, Erich with the group, Kent and his disapproval, John’s clash with Kent?
12.The decision about the trials, the four colours used anonymously? John consulting Robert Stonehill? The fact that his own was not his recommendation? Going into production? The plan for the tests, small amounts used on small children? The blow to John, his weeping?
13.Megan, going to hospital, Patrick and his frailty, the nurses and the care?
14.John, going to Lincoln, going to the laboratory, infiltrating, stealing the medicine, Stonehill covering for him? Kent and his reaction, his anger?
15.Stonehill, the confrontation with Kent, Kent and his firing John – so that there would be no conflict of interest and there could be a monitored test of siblings?
16.The hospital, the parents, Stonehill coming? The administration of the medicine? The recovery, the sugar high?
17.The final information about the family, the tests? The scene of Megan driving with her father? Stonehill and his having his own laboratory?
18.Issues of science and objectivity, business and profitability, parents and feelings?
