Extraordinary Measures DVD

 

 

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: DVD Recounts Parents’ “Extraordinary Measures” to Save Sick Kids

 

                Two of John (Brendan Fraser) and Aileen (Keri Russell) Crowley’s three children were born with Pompe Disease, a condition which prevents the body from digesting sugar. At the time, infants diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder typically died before two years of age. That’s why, when their daughter, Megan (Meredith Droeger), and son, Patrick (Diego Velasquez), reached their 6^th and 8^th birthdays, respectively, doctors suggested that they should be content with the fact that both had managed to survive beyond their life expectancy.

Nonetheless, John, a Harvard MBA employed by the pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers, decided to dedicate himself to saving his kids’ lives. So, he traveled to the University of Nebraska to meet face-to-face with Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford), the leading scientist doing research on Pompe Disease.

Next, both John and the brilliant, if unorthodox professor both quit their jobs in order to create a biotech foundation with the sole purpose of finding a cure for Pompe. Thus, while the highly-motivated father relied on his business background to raise $100 million dollars, Dr. Stonehill focused on discovering a drug which would do the work of the Pompe patients’ missing enzyme.

                Directed by Tom Vaughan, Extraordinary Measures is based on “The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million –and Bucked the Medical Establishment—in a Quest to Save His Children,” a best seller by Pulitzer Prize-winner Geeta Anand. This tender tearjerker basically revolves around the strained relationship of Mr. Crowley and Dr. Stonehill during the agonizing wait to see whether Megan and Patrick will be blessed with their much needed medical miracle.

Harrison Ford, shines though cast against type, as do Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell in a syrupy saga which somehow proves moving, in spite of a fairly formulaic, Hollywood approach to the execution of the Crowleys’ truly inspirational story.       

 

Very Good (3 stars)

Rated PG for mature themes, suggestive material and mild epithets.

Running time: 106 Minutes

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

 DVD Extras: Deleted scenes and go behind the scenes with interviews with both the cast and the family whose true story inspired the film.