Saltzman Sees...John Q (2002)

John Q is the story of a down-on-his luck father, whose insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant, takes the hospital's emergency room hostage until the doctors agree to perform the operation. This movie is as much about serious problems with HMO's in America as it is a story of a father's fight for his son's survival.  Robert Duvall, James Woods, Anne Heche and Ray Liotta all bring their talent to the film, and Kimberly Elise is brilliant as Denzel's wife.

Denzel Washington might be the best actor in film today, and yet when John Q came out, The Academy ignored it.  Denzel won an Oscar for Training Day, but just like Tom Hanks won back to back awards for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, he should have been considered for another Oscar.  John Q is Denzel's strongest performance as an actor.

This is a movie with a real message about the problems with health care in this country and includes a masterful performance by today's greatest actor.  It is certainly the Most Underrated Movie of 2002.