Washington 'goes to far' in latest film
Actor Denzel Washington today spoke of his role as a desperate father who ‘‘goes too far’’ as he arrived for the Los Angeles premiere of his latest movie John Q.
In the film, which opens in the UK next month, Washington plays hard-working machinist John Q Archibald - a family man who is just trying to make ends meet when he learns that his young son has a life-threatening heart condition.
John Q assumes that his health insurance will cover a transplant operation but he is in for a nasty surprise.
His insurance won’t cover enough of the costs and even when he has sold practically everything he owns, he still can’t pay for his son’s medical bills.
The hospital and its staff are unable to help and backed into a corner, John Q resorts to taking the hospital’s emergency room hostage in a last ditch attempt to save his son’s life.
Washington, 47, said that being a parent had helped him ‘‘connect’’ with the role but he said he could not condone his character’s actions.
The father-of-four said: ‘‘I don’t think it’s right, I think he goes too far - you can’t put other people’s lives in jeopardy to save your own child.’’
He added: ‘‘Being a parent made it easier for me, it made it easier to relate to the health care issue and being a parent helped me connect with the film.’’
Washington, who was wearing a baseball cap, black leather jacket and jeans, was joined at the premiere in West Hollywood by co-stars Anne Heche, Ray Liotta, James Woods, Kimberly Elise and director Nick Cassavetes.
The experience of dealing with a sick child is one which is close to Cassevetes’s heart - his daughter suffers from a congenital heart problem which has required her to undergo surgery and she will eventually need a transplant.
Washington said Cassavetes was very ‘‘passionate’’ about the film and had strong opinions about the whole health care issue.
He added: ‘‘I hope his daughter makes it, she could still lose her life.’’
John Q opens in the US next week and in the UK on March 15.
