Its been so long since we last saw Harrison Ford in anything good, some people might well have forgotten what a great star he was/is. Extraordinary Measures certainly won't do him any favours, but at least it reminds us that he's still alive... and indeed might prompt me to put on Bladerunner later on tonight.

Opening with the line 'Inspired by a true story', Extraordinary Measures deals with one man's struggle and fight to find the cure for Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder which has hit his family and crippled his two children. John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) and his wife (Keri Russell) watch their daughter almost die and in desperation turn to a doctor who has only got theory on his side. Maverick Dr Robert Stonehill (Ford) reluctantly takes on the cause as long as he receives financial and physical help from Crowley who promptly quits his job and starts working on the business side of things to get the enzyme needed into production. Soon both men realize the project is too big for their makeshift operation and as the medical heavyweights begin circling the company, when they have early success, will Crowley sacrifices everything (and everyone) to save his family?

This is a pretty standard TV movie elevated only by the starry cast. It’s odd to see what drove Ford into the project as it never really offers him anything to do beyond being gruff and old. OK so he may well be both things now… but he can do so much more. Russell also finds herself in a stock role which could have been played by anyone, sidelined as she is by Fraser’s full on turn as the desperate father.

To be fair Fraser does well and convinces as a man possessed, bringing us into the world of the characters and making us empathize even with his most annoying habits. The kids also do well and make us care despite the meandering plot.

You would have to be pretty cold-hearted not to get some emotional twinge out of this, but overall it does feel by the numbers. We’ve seen this film before, and this is not a particularly lively or interesting version. The character played by Ford is an amalgamation of numerous individuals for dramatic effect, and as such problems arise when the good doctor bizarrely changes tone at different stages in the story.

The film is expected through out, it’s one of those that if you know in advance you won’t like it… then you won’t like it. Don’t bother going to see it, you will get annoyed. If on the other hand you lap this sort of stuff up (probably on some niche Freeview channel catering to your every soppy needs) then enjoy.

Rating: **

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Harrison Ford, Keri Russell, Meredith Droeger and Diego Velazquez
Director: Tom Vaughan
Writers: Robert Nelson Jacobs and Geeta Anand      
Release Date: Feb 26th 2010
Certificate: PG
Runtime: 105mins

Cassam Looch

My Sister's Keeper was actually a decent film of a similar genre and i can highly recommend the highly charged and emotional Departures. 

Also check out this great little featurette with Harrison Ford