Edge of Darkness

“Extraordinary Measures,” the new film directed by Tom Vaughan (“What Happens in Vegas”) could have been a very common film, yet the honest performances from an extraordinary cast, provide compassion and depth.

Based on Geeta Anand’s book “The Cure” and adapted by Robert Nelson Jacobs, the story focuses on a young father’s determination to find the medicine that will save two of his three children from dying. Jacobs, who also wrote screenplays to “Out to Sea,” “Chocolat” and “The Shipping News,” does a good job of disciplining a true story and book into a film; not all biographical tales translate neatly into three acts and with “Measures” the audience focuses on the topic at hand.

The film opens with John (Brendon Fraser), a Harvard MBA and executive at a pharmaceutical firm rushing to arrive in time for his daughter Megan’s (Meredith Droeger) eighth birthday.  Megan and son Patrick (Diego Velazquez) both have a genetic disorder where most kids don’t live beyond the age of nine.  Early in the film, the relationship between John and his wife Aileen (Keri Russell) signals love, kindness and understanding. With one healthy son, John Jr. (Sam Hall), the family sticks together, laughs together and struggles together.  The Crowleys make a very strong team and the husband and wife, despite the cards dealt, both love each other and are also still very much in love.

With a fierce urgency rooted in the protective responsibility for his wife and children, John investigates all possible cures for the disorder and stumbles upon the research of Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford). Never returning John’s calls, Stonehill lives in his secluded world of data, fishing and classic rock – his only true relationship. John finally makes contact with Stonehill and the real narrative of the film begins with the commencement of this partnership and the pursuit of discovering the healing medicine, all the while both men meeting adversity at every step of the way.

From the initial trailer, an audience can quickly anticipate the character obstacles in “Measures.” Additionally, anyone familiar with the Crowleys, whether from personal connection or from reading “The Cure,” will also know what happens and how it all unveils. Thus, to give this movie wings, the producers wisely cast credible actors to deliver on authentic dialogue of a real-life experience. Ford and Fraser, usually in action figure roles, are convincing as two very different men, with very distinct objectives, coming together as partners focused on one common goal. Ford’s humor delivers levity to an otherwise serious theme. Fraser, atypically overweight, but in character, manages to achieve simultaneous nice guy at home, corporate strategist in the boardroom dichotomy. Russell simply shines as the loving wife and mom. She radiates a maternal warmth and unflinching support to her husband’s quest. Rarely does a modern film reflect such a functional family. “Measures” thrives at this and, as a result, the audience roots for everyone to succeed.  Additionally, Courtney B. Vance (“Flash Forward”) portraying Marcus Temple, a father to a daughter impacted by the same disease, and Jared Harris, (“Mad Men”) as Dr. Kent Webber, a corporate executive fighting Crowley at every turn, provide compelling performances, complimenting and contrasting the main characters.

Visually, the film features frequent actor close ups, but, with the exception of a stunning and symbolic scene where Russell and Fraser embrace in the otherwise empty glass-walled corner of a hospital, the movie feels more like something on television. This makes sense given that Tom Vaughan’s background includes directing episodes of shows such as “Cold Feet,” “John From Cincinnati” and even “Big Love.” His strength is capturing the interpersonal and here he succeeds.

“Extraordinary Measures” will hook parents and families through its sincere portrayal of a couple combining love, hope and perseverance to find a cure not just for its children, but for all the other kids impacted by a terrible genetic disease, by taking on corporate America, science and anyone else in the way. It’s a David and Goliath story and people who’ve had familiar experiences or know anyone impacted by similar circumstances will find empathy in a movie that could have been quite ordinary.

DIRECTOR: Tom Vaughan SCREENWRITER: Robert Nelson Jacobs, Geeta Anand (novel) PRODUCERS: Harrison Ford, Carla Santos Shamberg, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher CAST: Brendan Fraser, Harrison Ford, Keri Russell, Diego Velazquez, Sam Hall, Meredith Droeger MPAA RATING: PG