PICK OF THE WEEK
Extraordinary Measures
It may seem like a disease-of-the-week drama, better suited to network television—and given that this feature is the first under CBS film’s aegis, perhaps that idea is not far off—but Extraordinary Measures transcends its based on true events/inspirational format because Harrison Ford gives such an enjoyably irascible performance. John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) is the father of three kids, two of whom are suffering from the fatal Pompe disease, a genetic disorder that involves muscle deterioration and enlarged organs. Crowley is a “miracle chaser”—a man determined to find a cure. Seizing the day, he enlists the help of the eccentric Dr. Stonehill (Ford), to turn the scientist’s “theory into therapy.” Yet Crowley has an uphill climb: not only must he secure significant funds for research, he must also keep Stonehill from alienating the investors. Extraordinary Measures doesn’t offer any big surprises about what will happen, but it is compelling throughout. And the film’s science is as easy to follow as the drama surrounding the “objective decisions” big Pharma makes during the search for a cure. Fraser is extremely likable as Crowley, and he and Ford have a fine rapport that elevates what could have been a very saccharine film.

Brendan Fraser and the real John Crowley attended the Philadelphia premiere of Extraordinary Measure. Aroundphilly.com caught up with the on and off-screen heroes to chat about their film.

GK: Brendan, there’s a lot of pressure to play a real person on film…
BF: [Interrupting] There is? [Laughs]. Pressure to play John? Have you met him yet? He’s the nicest guy!

GK: How do you know you got the character right?
BF: I don’t know that I got it right yet. I have to go and watch the movie with this audience here in Philly. Harrison’s pleased with it. I know the real Crowleys, who send me emails are pleased with it…I think we’re on to something here.

GK: You do independent and Hollywood films, as well as films for kids. Do you see this role as moving in a more adult direction with your work as an actor?
BF: I think it’s important to have a diverse career. I do something for the kids. I think it has [greater] impact to have something that plays to a broad audience. And then if you can mix it up with something that’s more emotional, it plays to better effect.

GK: John, I asked Brendan if he thought he did you justice. What do you think of his performance?
JC: I think he did a wonderful job. He had to play such a range of emotions from serious businessperson to dad to husband of course, and played every part well. As a dad with three kids, he can empathize with [me] in a very special way.

GK: Did he do anything particular to capture you on screen?
JC: In a film like this that is such a major Hollywood production, you don’t want him to imitate the people you’re portraying. You want to play it in your own way. I think Brendan did that well, capturing the spirit and the dynamic of the family.



ALSO OPENING
Legion
An Archangel (Paul Bettany) along with a group of strangers at a diner fight for humankind.

The Tooth Fairy
An eclectic cast—Julie Andrews, Billy Crystal, Ashley Judd and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson—star in this comedy about a hockey player (Johnson) who takes a job as the title character.

A Town Called Panic
This goofy, often laugh-out-loud funny stop-motion animated tale from Belgium has Cowboy, Indian, and Horse sharing a house together. When Cowboy and Indian forget Horse’s birthday they try to get him a last-minute present. When they inadvertently order 50,000,000 bricks for a barbeque set—their house is soon destroyed. Alas, in their efforts to rebuild, thieves keep making off with the walls. So the trio sets off on a madcap adventure that has them go underground, across snow, and into the sea to capture the crooks. This brightly colored, highly diverting film runs just over an hour, and is full of great comic touches--from the urgent voices of the all the characters, to fabulous sight gags, such as what happens when Cowboy drops a cell phone into lava. The film’s stylish images—Horse removing his shoes when he gets into bed at night, or the use of a swordfish as both a tool and a weapon—make A Town Called Panic memorable. If things get a bit too manic in the last reel as all the plot lines converge, at least the coda featuring skydiving cows leave viewers with a great big smile.

The White Ribbon
Michael Haneke’s award-winning film about children in a small village in the period before World War I.