Stepping out of the elevator onto the 33rd floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, reality suddenly hit me. I am about to interview an actor that I’ve idolized from childhood, in films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones: Harrison Ford.

Ford was in town for the Chicago premiere of his new film, “Extraordinary Measures,” CBS Films first major motion picture, in which he co-stars with actor Brendan Fraser. As I sat and waited for Mr. Ford to enter the hotel room where our interview would take place, I thought back on the story of “Extraordinary Measures,” anxiously waiting the arrival of one of the film’s stars.

“Extraordinary Measures” is a film based on the true story of John Crowley and his two children who suffer from a deadly disease known as Pompe Syndrome — a genetic disorder that affects the body’s capacity to metabolize sugar. Ford plays the maladjusted and stubborn Dr. Robert Stonehill, a scientist working to discover a treatment for the symptoms of Pompe Syndrome.

In the film, Dr. Stonehill is contacted by John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) and asked if he would be interested in a partnership with one goal — to discover an enzyme formula that could save the lives of many patients with Pompe Syndrome. A father motivated by the love for his children and a doctor determined to finally put his studies and research into tangible real life use, the two men join together and set out on a journey that is dangerous and heart-warming all at the same time.

The film also stars Keri Russell as John’s wife, Aileen, and Meredith Droeger and Diego Velazquez as Crowley’s two sick children, Megan and Patrick.

Ford, dressed in black from his shoes to his earring in his left ear, sat down and discussed why he took up the role of Dr. Stonehill.

“I was looking for material to develop for myself in a film in which I could play a character which was different from what people would expect from me, in a good film … where [the audience] participates in the experience of this family.”

Ford continued, discussing what was important to him in his decision on roles he will take up.

“I’m not about kinetics, even in the films which I think are unfairly characterized as action movies. I’m always focused on character, emotion, and good story telling. [In “Extraordinary Measures”] you may miss the car crashes and the blowing stuff up, but you may walk away with a positive feeling about humanity and be compelled to consider your common humanity rather than your singular existence. You may even remember the story 15 minutes after you walk out of the theater.”

I had the privilege of seeing “Extraordinary Measures” before my interview with Mr. Ford, and couldn’t agree with him more on his analysis. “Extraordinary Measures” is a powerful story that places the audience into a family’s tale of strength, hope, and love. The performances given in the film are quite moving and the film has many layers, running all spans of emotion from pain to joy and laughter.

In a time that is harsh in our country, a film like “Extraordinary Measures” delivers an uprising euphoria to the audience and makes one dare to hope, dare to risk, and dare to make a difference. I give it 3 out of 4 stars.