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Mad City (1997) 6.1
Ratings:
6.1/10 from 12,892 users
Metascore: 45/100
Reviews: 63 user | 57 critic | 23 from Metacritic.com A normal guy blows his top, and a news reporter turns into a national spectacle. Director:Costa-Gavras |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| John Travolta | ... |
Sam
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| Dustin Hoffman | ... |
Brackett
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| Mia Kirshner | ... |
Laurie
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| Alan Alda | ... | ||
| Robert Prosky | ... |
Lou Potts
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| Blythe Danner | ... |
Mrs. Banks
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| William Atherton | ... |
Dohlen
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| Ted Levine | ... | ||
| Tammy Lauren | ... |
Miss Rose
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| William O'Leary | ... |
CTN Junior Executive
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| Raymond J. Barry | ... |
Dobbins
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| Lucinda Jenney | ... |
Jenny
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| Akosua Busia | ... |
Diane
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| Ebbe Roe Smith | ... |
Bartholomew
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Bingwa | ... |
Nat Jackson
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Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Sam Baily, upset over losing his job, takes a natural history museum hostage. Max Brackett, journalist, is in the museum when this occurs, and gets the scoop. The story spreads nation wide, and soon it is all anyone talks about. The story itself is the news, not the reason why or the real people behind it. Written by <freckles@vivid.net>
Taglines:
One man will make a mistake. The other will make it a spectacle.Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for depiction of a hostage situation, including violence and brief language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
7 November 1997 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El cuarto poder See more »Box Office
Budget:
$50,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
£209,272 (UK) (10 July 1998)Gross:
£533,374 (UK) (24 July 1998)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
from "La Bohème"
Music by Giacomo Puccini (as Puccini)
Text by Giacosa after Murger
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The woman who plays the cop with the shotgun in the trailer is Teresa O'Kane, actress and author of the book Safari Jema, A Journey of Love and Adventure from Casablanca to Cape Town. See more »Soundtracks
"Musetta's Waltz"from "La Bohème"
Music by Giacomo Puccini (as Puccini)
Text by Giacosa after Murger
See more »
A brilliant examination of our media-driven culture, by a film-maker who has lost none of the passion and intelligence which previously crafted such definitive political thrillers as 'Z' and 'State of siege'. I am staggered that Costa-Gavras could bring this one off while actually working within the American media empire he excoriates!
There's enough stuff here to keep any serious media-studies or political theory courses in seminars and theses for years! I immediately bought a video copy after seeing it - in Glorious SpottiVision - on Britain's quirkily watchable Channel 5; I shall be giving it regular viewings from now on. Few and far between are such examples of intellectually adult and satisfying cinema these days. Truly one to savour, unless you prefer to leave your brains out when watching films.
And Travolta's performance as the wretched ex-guard - a far from simple simpleton - is a revelation: The man is magnificent - Oscar-worthy - the great Hoffman is forced to accept a supporting role!
A great, widely misunderstood film by a true master of cinema.