Refection paper on John Q

Submitted by: Camille V. Ramirez(2BPH)

Submitted to: Prof. Rommel Ramiscal

The movie that we watched was all about John Q, a father whose son was
diagnosed with an enlarged heart. Unfortunately, his health insurance couldnt pay for all the
expenses that they will accumulate once the operation takes place. When John Q couldnt make
both ends meet, he made a desperate move to hostage the emergency room of the hospital in
order to force the health care practitioners to give a heart to his son. The movie is somehow
related to a real life incident that happened in the Toronto, wherein a man named Henry Masuka
took an ER hostage after it would not provide immediate service to his infant son. It happened on
New Years Eve on the year 1999.
My honest-to-goodness opinion about the movie is that its a really good movie
that shows the realities in this world. It depicts real life. It showed how a father would do
anything for his son, whom he loves very much which is a heart melting act for me, but I was
really shocked with what he did to achieve his purpose. If it were to happen to me in real life, I
might have scolded my dad for acting such act and for causing big trouble to the community, and
even causing himself to go to prison.
If we are to take a look on the moral aspect of the movie, we may have a lot of say
about this movie. . His act may seem to look good or feel good for a normal individual, because
family is important, and it may seem rightfully just to do anything for a loved one. Even if it may
cause you trouble. But once you know about the basis of morality, you will have opened eyes to
judge whether an act is morally good or not. Of course we know that the intention of John Q is
good, yet the means on how he tried to solve the problem is bad, therefore making his act not
good, or bad.
For me one ethical principle seen in the movie is Hedonism which is a principle of
pleasure. It is where one will do anything that will bring happiness to him/her. Family is one of
the reasons of our happiness. Having a mother and a father brings delight to a kid. And so as well
as it brings pleasure for parents to have kids. John Qs greatest happiness is his family. When his
son got sick, he was given the news that he might lose his son. This means that he might lose one
of the sources of his happiness in life. So he did everything he could do to keep his happiness.
He did the unexpected only to pursue his greatest joy.
Another ethical principle seen in the movie is Darwinian ethics. Wherein Tuck
Lumpley, the news reporter really wanted to be the best reporter ever. He wanted to be on top.
That is why he really tried to make a coverage of everything that is happening in the scene; this
later on led to his arrest.

One ethical principle I also observed in the movie was Utilitarianism. It was shown
in the character of Freddy B. He was the guy who was with Debby Utley, the girl he met just a
few days past. He seemed to be using the girl as his trophy. Being with Debby gave him pride.
Later on, Debby will realize that he is just using her for his pleasure. It resulted with Debby
kicking Freddy Bs guts.

Overall, I can say that the movie is a great movie that has a lot of ethical principles
that coincide with it. It is perfect for viewing in order for students to have a broader idea of the
principles being taught.