The film follows Frank Conner (played by Andy García), a San Francisco police officer whose son, Matthew Conner (played by Joseph Cross), is diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and urgently needs a bone marrow transplant to survive. With no matching donors available, Frank is desperate to save his son’s life and is willing to go to extreme lengths to find a compatible donor.
Meanwhile, Peter McCabe (played by Michael Keaton), a cunning and dangerous criminal mastermind, is on the run from the police after escaping from a high-security prison. McCabe is also in need of a bone marrow transplant due to a rare blood disorder, and he sees an opportunity to use Matthew as leverage to evade capture.
When Frank learns that McCabe is a compatible donor for his son, he reluctantly agrees to a deal with the FBI to track down McCabe and bring him to justice in exchange for his bone marrow. However, Frank soon discovers that McCabe is a formidable adversary who will stop at nothing to escape capture.
As Frank and McCabe engage in a deadly game of cat and mouse, tensions escalate, and the stakes become increasingly high. Frank must navigate a web of deception and betrayal as he races against time to capture McCabe and save his son’s life.
In a series of intense action sequences and thrilling confrontations, Frank pursues McCabe across the city, facing numerous obstacles and challenges along the way. As the two men clash in a final showdown, Frank must make a difficult choice between upholding the law and protecting his family.
In the end, Frank manages to apprehend McCabe and secure the bone marrow transplant for his son, saving Matthew’s life. However, the ordeal takes a toll on Frank, who is left grappling with the moral and ethical implications of his actions.
“Desperate Measures” is praised for its gripping storyline, taut suspense, and strong performances, particularly from Andy García and Michael Keaton. It’s a thrilling and emotionally resonant thriller that explores themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the lengths a parent will go to save their child’s life.