Movies

I like this film. I must admit that a part of me was hoping for the typical chick flic ending, but if I'd actually gotten it I'm sure I wouldn't have liked the movie as much. The movie was more believable than I've come to expect from action films, with the possible exception of the bravado of the captive husband. I find it hard to believe that someone in that situation would be so constantly antagonistic to their captors. Sure, you might have a moment or two where you'd just had enough and had to push back, but I find it hard to believe that you'd be that way ALL the time.But the negotiations were believable for the most part, and the growing attraction between the leads was done nicely.

South American rebels kidnap Peter Bowman (David Morse), a US engineer who works for an oil company. The company calls in negotiator Terry Thorne (Russell Crowe). When the oil company abandons them, Bowman's wife Alice (Meg Ryan) begs Terry to stay.First we must address the Russell Crowe - Meg Ryan real life romance. It definitely muddied the movie's reception. But it's eerie how the movie mirrors real life. David Morse plays the husband a little bit too unlikeable. It made the budding romance of the leads uncomfortably too real in both life and movie. That part of the movie is just too creepy. I do like Russell Crowe negotiating with the rebels. The action at the end is worthwhile and the whole story flows very well.

Taylor Hackford directs this action drama that falls short of the pre-release hype. Off screen romance of the two lead stars generated much interest; but this movie is tense, slow and too long. A mercenary(Russell Crowe)is hired to negotiate the release of an engineer(David Morse), who has been kidnapped in South America. A problem arises when the negotiator falls in love with the man's wife(Meg Ryan). Also in the cast are: David Caruso, Gottfried John, Anthony Heald and watching Pamela Reed alone will make you a nervous wreck. With all of the promo hype I expected this movie to bust the screen open and sizzle. Not this time.