At the Movies with Fatwayne

I must admit that it was the drawing power of Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser that got me into the theater. I am reticent to view sad movies or movies that portray children suffering. I started to regret my decision when the movie began but then a strange thing happened to me! I became completely engrossed in the story and how ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.

John (Brendan Fraser) and Aileen (Keri Russell) Crowley have three children but only one is healthy. The other two are afflicted with a horrible and devastating genetic disease called Pompe. It is always fatal with those unfortunate enough to have it rarely living past the age of 2. In the movie these kids are 7 and 9 and will make you fall in love with them, especially 9 year old Megan (Meredith Droeger).

What gives the film its intensity is John and Aileen’s refusal to just sit back and let their children die. This is one family you just want to be happy and successful in finding a cure for this terrible condition. John’s research leads him to discover the work of an eccentric but brilliant research scientist, Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford). Stonehill is working on a cure but in underfunded and has quite a way to go before it will benefit the Crowley children. John Crowley, who is a biotechnology executive, takes it upon himself to meet Stonehill in an effort to aid him in finding a timely solution to his kids illness. More tension is created as we watch these precious children’s health deteriorate in this race against time.

The movie does a good job in relating the substantial task of bringing a drug to market with all of the financial and governmental restrictions. Stonehill and Crowley are seeking the same goal but they are coming from different directions. It is engrossing to view these characters as they conquer every obstacle placed in their path and ultimately become good friends.

Quotes from Extraordinary Measures
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