Desperate Measures

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Desperate Measures

R

Released Jan 30, 1998

1h 40m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

19%

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31 Reviews

38%

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10,000+ Ratings

Widowed cop Frank Conner (Andy Garcia) is determined to secure a bone marrow transplant for his son, Matt (Joseph Cross), who will die of leukemia if a suitable donor isn't found. Conner discovers that incarcerated serial murderer Peter McCabe (Michael Keaton) is a match for Matt, and the psychopath eventually agrees to donate marrow, but he escapes from the operating room just before the procedure. Conner quickly follows, but the scheming McCabe won't be easily apprehended.

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Critics Consensus

Times aren't desperate enough for this lame thriller to be called for.

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D

Sep 7, 2011

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Globe and Mail

Rated: 1.5/4

Apr 12, 2002

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USA Today

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Desperate Measures has recovered its momentum to ultimately confirm its place as an erratically-paced yet predominantly entertaining thriller.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 21, 2020

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

"Desperate Measures" is a drawn-out, and purely disposable, suspense thriller.

Rated: C

May 19, 2009

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Primarily, the movie works as a showcase for Garcia and Keaton.

Rated: B

Jul 30, 2007

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Matthew S

Love all,of the actors in the movie. The acting wasn’t bad but the story was a little far fetched and predictable. Worth a watch but don’t be surprised when st the end you say to yourself, eh

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Gerald H

Trying to put so much uninspired crap into just one movie is a desperature measure.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/16/24

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Frankie B

I honestly don't know why this movie has gotten such low ratings It was a fantastic movie Michael Keaton was really really good in it Andy Garcia was good in it. Action packed had a nice ending. One of my favorite movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

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Steve D

Keaton's performance is really the only thing that it has but it is more than enough.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

Personally was always a favorite of mine. KEATON delivers a totally likeable villain. Never understood why it was so poorly reviewed and not well accepted by audiences.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Audience Member

I loved ‘Desperate Measures'! Don't listen to the critics!! People have been way, way too harsh on this, for no reason. It's a solid 90s action movie. I found it to be credible; the acting was good; the storyline was plausible. Remember - it's an action movie, and the fact that I couldn't find any flaws in the screenplay or plot says a lot. The production is great. It's just as good as ‘The Fugitive', ‘Clear & Present Danger' etc. 9/10.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

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Barbet Schroeder

Director

Michael Keaton

Peter McCabe

Andy Garcia

Frank Conner

Brian Cox

Captain Jeremiah Cassidy

Marcia Gay Harden

Dr. Samantha Hawkins

Erik King

Nate Oliver

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The Score

74%

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20%

28%

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Synopsis

Widowed cop Frank Conner (Andy Garcia) is determined to secure a bone marrow transplant for his son, Matt (Joseph Cross), who will die of leukemia if a suitable donor isn't found. Conner discovers that incarcerated serial murderer Peter McCabe (Michael Keaton) is a match for Matt, and the psychopath eventually agrees to donate marrow, but he escapes from the operating room just before the procedure. Conner quickly follows, but the scheming McCabe won't be easily apprehended.

Director: Barbet Schroeder
Producer: Gary Foster, Susan Hoffman, Lee Rich, Barbet Schroeder
Screenwriter: David Klass
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Production Co: Mandalay Pictures, Eaglepoint, TriStar Pictures
Rating: R (Violence|Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 30, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.7M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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