Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser search for a cure to Pompe disease in “Extraordinary Measures.” Photo courtesy of CBS Films.

EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES (Rated PG)

The guy who played the dashing Han Solo and Indiana Jones should be collecting Social Security and soon enough residing in an old actor’s home.

Harrison Ford is even getting too old to play the role of commander-in-chief, riding around in Air Force One and barking orders to underlings.

But now he’s comfortably at home as a curmudgeonly university research scientist in “Extraordinary Measures,” channeling his personality to be eccentric, brilliant and disagreeable in equal parts.

Even though wrinkled and looking weary, Ford remains a commanding presence and is fun to watch.

“Extraordinary Measures” is the maiden film released by CBS Films, and as such it has the unmistakable feeling of a made-for-television affair.

However, because the story involves a loving family dealing with medical tragedies, the film seems like it really belongs on the Lifetime Channel, or even the Hallmark Channel.

That’s not to say there is anything inherently wrong with a plot that is inspired by a true story, namely one involving the real-life Crowley family desperately searching for a cure for Pompe disease.

John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) and his wife Aileen (Keri Russell) have three children, the two youngest ones stricken by the rare disease that is a form of muscular dystrophy which confines the afflicted to wheelchairs and respirators.

Children with Pompe disease rarely have a life expectancy beyond nine years, at least according to the movie script. In the real world, the life span may be even shorter.

The Crowleys’ middle child, Megan (Meredith Droeger), has just turned 8, and John throws himself into a frantic search for any kind of hope for a cure, staying up late at night scouring the Internet.

Juggling the demands of his executive job and spending time with his family, John believes he’s found the scientist who’s making breakthroughs in researching the rare genetic disorder.

The reclusive Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford) spends most of his time at the University of Nebraska lab, but is hampered by the lack of funds to move his research at a faster pace.

But since Stonehill won’t return any phone calls, the frustrated John impulsively jumps on a plane to track him down. When John boldly promises to raise the huge sum of money to start up a full-blown research project, it’s the start of an awkwardly tentative relationship.

Raising venture capital and assembling a crack research team are daunting tasks. Finding his work at a drug company too restrictive, John quits his job in order to start up a biotech firm with the help of Dr. Stonehill.

Unfortunately, things don’t work out quite according to plan, perhaps in part due to the doctor’s prickly nature and the fact that producing experimental drugs using enzymes are more challenging than expected when dealing with the FDA. Like most situations in life, compromises have to be made to survive the corporate culture.

Because “Extraordinary Measures” is focused on the drama that grips the Crowley family, there is much emphasis on the home life of the stricken kids. Of course, there are many touching moments, such as the time Megan suffers heart failure and barely survives yet another big scare.

Every setback pushes John more aggressively into raising funds and cajoling pharmaceutical corporate types into stepping up the research project. Stonehill’s abrasive personality often gets in the way, with other research teams keeping their distance, mostly because the eccentric doctor enjoys his work better when blasting rock music in the lab.

Credit must be given to Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser for trying mightily to keep the story moving in a forward arc. Their performances are often undermined by the formulaic constraints of the plot, including showdowns with the business suits that come off as a tad artificial and mostly convenient to stir up some much-needed friction.

Again, seeing Harrison Ford as a curmudgeon offers a certain amount of fun, but otherwise “Extraordinary Measures” is too soon destined for late night cable viewing.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

If you are looking for a crude, offensive gift for a friend or even a foe, then perhaps the DVD release of “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” will do the trick.

Based on the Tucker Max bestselling playbook for living the life of raunchy debauchery, this film stars Matt Czuchry as the book’s author, a connoisseur of fast times and faster women who is determined to outdo himself in one night of orgiastic depravity.

Tucker Max tricks his newly engaged buddy (Geoff Stults) into lying to his fiancée so they can celebrate his last days of bachelorhood in proper style. Along for the ride is another friend (Jesse Bradford) bitter about a breakup.

The night of fun takes a big turn when the boys meet a stripper who can match their vengeful behavior.

The coarse, vulgar “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” will work best for those demented souls who thought “The Hangover” was far too tame.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

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