Directed by:
Barbet SchroederScreenplay:
David KlassCinematography:
Luciano TovoliComposer:
Trevor JonesCast:
Michael Keaton, Andy Garcia, Brian Cox, Marcia Gay Harden, Erik King, Joseph Cross, Janel Moloney, Richard Riehle, Tracey Walter, Jack Gill, Scott Waugh (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Widowed police officer Frank Conner (Andy Garcia) has a cancer-stricken nine-year-old son, Matthew (Joseph Cross), whose only hope for survival is a bone-marrow transplant, but the only matching donor is Pete McCabe (Michael Keaton), a vicious, psychotic killer being held in a maximum-security prison. McCabe at first denies Conner's request for help but then agrees, devising an elaborate plan to use the medical procedure as an opportunity to escape. McCabe breaks loose before the transfusion can occur, and Conner is forced to become both his tracker and his ally, wanting to bring the serial killer back into custody but determined--for the sake of his son--to keep McCabe alive. Keaton is chilling as the vicious, brilliant convict, while Garcia turns in a heartfelt performance as a devoted father caught in the middle of a bad situation getting worse. With DESPERATE MEASURES, director Barbet Schroeder (REVERSAL OF FORTUNE), renowned for his knack of combining urgent family drama with white-knuckle suspense, adds another crowd-pleasing, thought-provoking film to his list of successes. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
![Michael Keaton](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/169/268/169268130_cgv24a.jpg)
Michael Keaton
USA
Best movies:
Dopesick (2021) (series)
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Cars (2006)
![Andy Garcia](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/074/160074508_8de7e8.jpg)
Andy Garcia
Cuba
Best movies:
The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) (TV movie)
The Untouchables (1987)
The Godfather: Part III (1990)
![Brian Cox](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/269/269132_a9796e.jpg)
Brian Cox
UK
Best movies:
An Adventure in Space and Time (2013) (TV movie)
Braveheart (1995)
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - a.f.
![Marcia Gay Harden](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/869/162869158_33881b.jpg)
Marcia Gay Harden
USA
Best movies:
Into the Wild (2007)
Detachment (2011)
Mystic River (2003)
![Erik King](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/276/276963_752491.jpg)
Erik King
USA
Best movies:
Casualties of War (1989)
National Treasure (2004)
Stay Tuned (1992)
![Joseph Cross](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/272/272114_0f328f.jpg)
Joseph Cross
USA
Best movies:
Milk (2008)
Licorice Pizza (2021)
Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
![Janel Moloney](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/879/161879013_205460.jpg)
Janel Moloney
USA
Best movies:
Bang, Bang, You're Dead (2002) (TV movie)
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (2020) (TV movie)
The Leisure Seeker (2017)
![Richard Riehle](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/274/274007_68c278.jpg)
Richard Riehle
USA
Best movies:
Casino (1995)
The Fugitive (1993)
Of Mice and Men (1992)
![Tracey Walter](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/279/279770_3b0310.jpg)
Tracey Walter
USA
Best movies:
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Philadelphia (1993)
Serpico (1973)
Jack Gill
Best movies:
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
Stanley & Iris (1990)
![Scott Waugh](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/157/987/157987539_90bd0d.png)
Scott Waugh
USA
Best movies:
Bicentennial Man (1999)
Desperate Measures (1998)
The Specialist (1994)
Michael Shamus Wiles
USA
Best movies:
Fight Club (1999)
Magnolia (1999)
Lost Highway (1997)
![Steven Schub](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/046/576/46576597_d7448c.jpg)
Steven Schub
USA
Best movies:
CBGB (2013)
The Thirteenth Floor (1999)
Desperate Measures (1998)
Keith Diamond
USA
Best movies:
Awakenings (1990)
Dark Skies (1996) (series)
Dr. Giggles (1992)
![Steve Park](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/107/162107797_b47f2f.jpg)
Steve Park
Best movies:
Falling Down (1993)
Fargo (1996)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Charles Noland
Best movies:
Blow (2001)
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (2020) (TV movie)
S1m0ne (2002)
Eric Tignini
Best movies:
Desperate Measures (1998)
Joe Drago
Best movies:
The Godfather: Part III (1990)
City Island (2009)
The Lost City (2005)
Tim Kelleher
USA
Best movies:
Inception (2010)
Seven Pounds (2008)
The Negotiator (1998)
Dennis Cockrum
Best movies:
Keith (2008)
Gangster Squad (2013)
Uncle Buck (1989)