Extreme Measures
Pearl, 9.30pm
After a string of successful comedies and an equally hilarious episode on Sunset Strip, this film was Hugh Grant's attempt at being taken seriously. He eased off on his trademark stammering, played down his natural charm and, quite surprisingly, manages to hold his own in this medical thriller, despite being cast opposite Gene Hackman.
The film begins dramatically enough with Dr Guy Luthan (Grant), a dedicated young English doctor running the emergency ward at a New York City hospital, stumbling upon a homeless patient who later dies from mysterious symptoms. His initial efforts to investigate the man's death are shunned but his persistence soon pays off in the form of Dr Lawrence Myrick (Gene Hackman), a celebrated humanitarian and neurologist.
Ably directed by Michael Apted and produced by Grant's forgiving ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth Hurley, Extreme Measures does attempt to raise serious discussions about medical ethics and man's ability to play God but, overall, the appeal is in seeing how Grant tackles the action-thriller genre. He may still need a lot of work in the action department, especially in the rather unconvincing scene where he is confronted by David Morse's character, Frank Hare, in a lift, but, elsewhere, he proves he is quite capable of building suspense. The film is also noteworthy for the casting of Sarah Jessica Parker (above with Grant) as Jodie Trammel, an emergency ward nurse. (1996)
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