Race Against Time

In the future, US corporations take advantage of permissive suicide and health care laws to harvest human body parts. Those with healthy organs may trade them for a cash sum, upon death. If you plan to die quickly, you will get more money. Our story's hero is lowly high rise construction worker Eric Roberts (as James Gabriel). He is a poor widower, but in excellent health. "I never get sick," states Mr. Roberts. However, Roberts' son Daniel Magder (as Bobby) may not be so lucky. The child has contracted the dreaded "Ralph Virus" once thought to be extinct. It kills furiously fast, but there is a cure...

Alas, the vaccine is prohibitively expensive. With his son literally at death's door, Roberts signs a contract with the wickedly corrupt "Lifecorps" corporation, for $300,000. Roberts must turn over his body for harvesting in exactly one year, but the money will cure Bobby. Of course, things can go wrong...

Roberts is a reliable lead, as usual. He spars well with villainous Cary Elwes (as Burke), who is exceptional as elevator doors close on his face. Athletic blonde Sarah Wynter (as Alex) provides feminine companionship, but corporate officer Diane Venora (as Helen Steele) is the one with the more interesting yen for Roberts. "Lifecorps" sleaze Chris Sarandon (as Anton Stofeles) has little to do; it would have improved the story to have him be in desperate need of a Roberts body part. Robin Wilcock (as Rupert Elliot) is impressive. For a TNT Presents TV Movie, "Race Against Time" delivers the goods.

****** Race Against Time (7/23/00) Geoff Murphy ~ Eric Roberts, Cary Elwes, Sarah Wynter, Diane Venora