John Q Page #2

Synopsis: Story centers on a man whose nine-year-old son is in desperate need of a life-saving transplant. When he discovers that his medical insurance won't cover the costs of the surgery and alternative government aid is unavailable, John Q. Archibald (Denzel Washington) takes a hospital emergency room hostage in a last-ditch attempt to save his child.
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Production: New Line Cinema
  2 wins & 8 nominations.
 
IMDB:
7.1
Metacritic:
30
Rotten Tomatoes:
23%
PG-13
Year:
2002
116 min
$71,026,631
Website
915 Views


INT. COMPUTER ROOM - SOMEWHERE IN AMERICA - NIGHT

An amber light flashes through the darkness, followed by a rapid buzzing sound. The CAMERA PUSHES IN on a mammoth-sized printer, furiously pounding letters onto a fact sheet. We catch glimpses of peoples' names, hometowns, other vital information. Vernell Tilson, Des Moines. Arthur Friedlander, Jefferson City. Amy Podgorsky, Topeka.

INT. JOHN Q.'S TRUCK - DAY

John, Denise and Mike. Denise in the middle. John and Mike are playing Speedy Gonzalez. The object of the game is to pick something and then say it so fast it's almost indecipherable. Mike's got a good one.

MIKE:

Rdshxshn.

J.Q.

Reddish Stick?

MIKE:

No. Rdshxshn.

J.Q.

Radishes?

MIKE:

Rdshxshn.

J.Q.

I swear to God, I'm hearing reddish stick.

MIKE:

It's a radio station.

J.Q.

Oh, brother. You got me.

It's Dad's turn.

J.Q. (CONT'D)

Ydugskew.

MIKE Yogurt and stew?

J.Q.

Yogurt and Stew?

MIKE:

Well, I don't know. Do it again.

J.Q.

Ydugskew.

MIKE:

I give up.

J.Q.

You're going to school.

MIKE:

Dad!

J.Q.

Okay. One more.

It's the longest one in history.

J.Q. (CONT'D)

Iplglgnstheflgvthntdstscvmrcndthrpblcfw chtstndsnntnndrgdndvsblewithlbrtyndjstc rll.

Mike gives him a look.

J.Q. (CONT'D)

Pledge of allegiance.

MIKE:

Wow. That's a good one. How about you, Mom?

DENISE:

I don't want to play. You guys always make fun of me.

MIKE:

Come on, Mom. It's fun.

J.Q.

Yeah, Mom.

DENISE:

Okay.

Mom's not very good. You can always understand her clearly.

DENISE (CONT'D)

Dashboard.

The boys giggle.

DENISE (CONT'D)

What? No good? Okay. Okay. Hold on.

She tries to be tricky, but still it's clear as a bell.

DENISE (CONT'D)

Antenna.

The boys laugh at her.

DENISE (CONT'D)

See. That's why I don't play.

The car stops in front of the small, red brick elementary school. Kids everywhere. Mike kisses his mother goodbye.

EXT. THOMAS EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - DAY

John walks Mike to the gate. Mike turns, serious.

MIKE:

Hey, Dad? I've got forty-six dollars I saved from my allowance. You can have it if you want.

J.Q.

Yeah?

MIKE:

We're a family. We've got to stick together, right?

John rubs his son's head. He's a good boy.

J.Q.

Right. But you earned that money. You keep it.

Mike runs toward the schoolhouse.

MIKE:

Okay. See you later!

J.Q.

Goodbye.

Mike turns around.

MIKE:

No, Dad. See you later. I hate goodbye.

J.Q.

Okay, okay. See you later.

Mike does the crab before running inside.

MIKE:

Flex Wheeler, 275 pounds. Two percent body fat. Yah!

INT. NEIMAN MACHINERY PLANT - DAY

Sparks. Fire. Goggles. Tires as tall as two-story buildings. John Q. and his best friend, JIMMY PALUMBO, work the assembly line. John holds a giant riveter.

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James Kearns

James William Kearns is the writer of the film John Q which starred Denzel Washington. He has also written several TV movies and episodes of television programs such as Mr. Belvedere, Jake and the Fatman, Highway to Heaven and Dynasty. more…

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