Extraordinary Measures
A determined father confronts scientific, financial, and institutional barriers to secure a lifesaving treatment for his children with Pompe disease.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- earnest
- inspirational
- emotionally intense
- reflective evening
- medical drama night
What critics said
Critics found the timely medical subject and committed lead performances affecting, but broadly viewed the film as a conventional made-for-TV-style tearjerker that gives pharmaceutical economics too little scrutiny.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John and Aileen Crowley raise money and push researchers toward clinical trials for their children's Pompe disease treatment.
The research depends on venture capital, laboratory funding, clinical trials, and commercial decisions surrounding a rare disease.
Pompe disease and the practical challenges of developing an enzyme treatment are central to the film's conflict.
John relies on Robert Stonehill's innovative work while Stonehill's angry outbursts threaten colleagues' and funders' confidence.
Films like Extraordinary Measures, and why
Lorenzo's Oil
shared medical crisis, family perseverance, and emotionally direct true-story drama
The Doctor
shared parental determination, institutional obstacles, and compassionate medical drama
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
shared scientific research, ethical pressure, and heartfelt human stakes
Movie Details
- Director
- Tom Vaughan
- Release Date
- 2010-01-21
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (360)
Cast
- Brendan Fraser
- Harrison Ford
- Keri Russell
- Courtney B. Vance
- Meredith Droeger
- Diego Velazquez
- Jared Harris
- Patrick Bauchau
- Alan Ruck
- David Clennon
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Extraordinary Measures about?
- A determined father confronts scientific, financial, and institutional barriers to secure a lifesaving treatment for his children with Pompe disease.
- What is Extraordinary Measures like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Extraordinary Measures as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Extraordinary Measures violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Extraordinary Measures.
- What did critics think of Extraordinary Measures?
- Critics found the timely medical subject and committed lead performances affecting, but broadly viewed the film as a conventional made-for-TV-style tearjerker that gives pharmaceutical economics too little scrutiny.
- Which films are like Extraordinary Measures?
- Films with a similar feel include Lorenzo's Oil, The Doctor, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
- How long is Extraordinary Measures?
- Extraordinary Measures runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Extraordinary Measures?
- In United States, Extraordinary Measures is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
