Sometimes we spend too much time looking for or analysing probabilities and possibilities. It bothers me a lot when I view the 70s Bond movies. If not for Moore, I would never watch them. Not that I don't want to have fun and laughter, but I was cursed with the knowledge of Ian Fleming novels and have devoured Connery's films. I am getting sidetracked here. I am talking about John Q, which was trashed by just about every critic in town.

All I ask is lighten up and enjoy the show. It starts realistically enough, with a kid dying of heart problem and the parents trying to scramble enough money to pay for his transplant. Could be a TV movie with burnt out ex-soap drama actresses playing the dedicated mom. This is a feature film and it wants audience to pay for the ticket and get entertained in turn. That's where the gun comes in.

OR else, how do you explain the presence of some of the great names in Hollywood, like Washington, Woods, Duvall and Liotta? The latter two gets to lock on power struggle, a cliché in any other hostage movie, but they make it interesting and funny. And Woods, as usual, can deliver more than what is required in his role - which happens to him most of the time, the underwritten character.

Okay, the movie got a lot of tear-jerking scenes and it might get to you if you are not open minded. Put that aside, and move with the character. With Denzel's sympathetic character, you have the hospital people and some jerk-patient as bad guys to deal with. Hell, you can even relate to the expensive medical bullshit and insurance policies that never come up to expectation. This issue has big impact on American audience, and I am sure just about every other middle class citizen around the world can relate to it too, me included.

There is enough suspense and humour in this movie to keep you hooked. The performances alone worth the ticket. Good stuff, if you overlook the impossibilities and improbabilities.