John Q. clearly aspires to couch discussion of a crucial social issue--the need for (and righteousness of) universal health care--in the garb of a palatable, mass-market thriller. It's a fine ambition, but one that the film, hampered by clunkiness on both fronts, only partly fulfills. The more commercial elements are often ham-fisted; at the same time, director Nick Cassavetes and writer James Kearns occasionally have the film grind to a halt for flat debate about the issues. The film does have its virtues, primarily among the performances. Washington is always worth watching, even in a role written with as few complexities as this one. Also aboard for the ride are Anne Heche (as a frosty hospital administrator), Robert Duvall (as a hostage negotiator) and Ray Liotta (as a camera-hungry chief of police).