Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageDesperate Measures (1998)
Director: Barbet Schroeder
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Frank Connor, a lone parent cop, competes with the police force on a manhunt for escaped con McCabe, and finds himself in a no man's land between hunter and prey. The cops want the fugitive dead, and Frank wants his bone marrow to save his little boy. The title describes the film's strategy of victimising the child, a leukaemia patient whose pre-op vulnerability is exploited first to enable McCabe's escape, and then later as he becomes a hostage to the latter's fortunes. Keaton plays the con like Hannibal Lecter: a multiple murderer who can outwit his captors, unblinking, droll and occasionally vicious. Garcia is a rather dull embodiment of earnest persistence, and Harden flits in and out in an under-explored role as the boy's surgeon.Author: NB
Cast & crew
Director: Barbet Schroeder
Producer: Barbara Schroeder, Susan Hoffman, Gary Foster, Lee Rich
Cast: Michael Keaton, Andy Garcia, Brian Cox, Marcia Gay Harden, Erik King, Efrain Figueroa full cast
Genre(s): Thrillers
Duration: 100 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now