John Q is an emotional film based on the perverse effects of the private healthcare system, played by Denzel Washington. The film focuses on the healthcare system concerns of lower- and middle-class families in the United States. He also addresses the less empathetic individuals in hospital administrations and insurance companies. Denzel plays a father who cannot afford a heart transplant for his son, after learning that his son has an enlarged heart. The couple receives little or no sympathy or help from the attending physician and hospital administrator. All the stress causes him to break down and hold a group of people hostage in the hospital emergency room. This film also depicts the frustrating problems faced by people who cannot afford health care. It also shows the callous and selfish way doctors treat medical care towards those less fortunate. John, a struggling father trying to make ends meet, quickly discovers the downsides of having limited health care. Despite financial difficulties, he and his family live a loving and happy life. The film begins with an accident that kills a young woman. It also features John's son Michael and his wife Denise watching Michael collapse while playing baseball. Rushing him to the hospital, it is revealed that John's son has an enlarged heart. It is announced that Michael will need an immediate heart transplant to survive. A heart transplant can typically cost around $300,000 or more, depending on the patient's condition. The hospital administration immediately informs John that his insurance does not cover this type of surgery and that a payment of $100,000 will have to be made just to have his son's name added to the donor list. The administrator...... middle of paper ...... son but Dr. Turner moves the conversation to another topic, which makes John angry. John Q is a film that addresses the effects of the private healthcare system. He addresses the issues with HMOs, as he points out that Mike's problem could have been caught sooner if the proper testing had been done. This is one of the major problems in the health insurance industry. Even though John's actions of holding ER patients and hospital staff hostage were completely wrong, one could argue that the doctors' method of delivery was very wrong. Dr. Turner and Rebecca played a minor role in John's anger because if they had been a little supportive and more sympathetic to the whole situation, he wouldn't have been so angry. This film highlights the suffering and efforts people must endure every day to obtain decent medical care..