Man on Fire (2004)

In Mexico City, a former assassin swears vengeance on those who committed an unspeakable act against the family he was hired to protect.

Director:

Tony Scott

Writers:

A.J. Quinnell (novel), Brian Helgeland (screenplay)

Stars:

Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Dakota Fanning

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denzel Washington	...	John W. Creasy
Dakota Fanning	...	Lupita Ramos
Radha Mitchell	...	Lisa Ramos
Christopher Walken	...	Paul Rayburn
Marc Anthony	...	Samuel Ramos
Giancarlo Giannini	...	Miguel Manzano
Mickey Rourke	...	Jordan Kalfus
Rachel Ticotin	...	Mariana Garcia Guerrero
Roberto Sosa	...	Daniel Sanchez
Jesús Ochoa	...	Victor Fuentes
Gero Camilo	...	Aurelio Sanchez
Mario Zaragoza	...	Jorge Gonzalez
Charles Paraventi	...	Jersey Boy
Carmen Salinas	...	Guardian Three
Esteban De La Trinidad	...	Guardian Two

Storyline

A wave of kidnappings has swept through Mexico, feeding a growing sense of panic among its wealthier citizens, especially parents. In one six-day period, there were twenty-four abductions, leading many to hire bodyguards for their children. Into this world enters John Creasy, a burned-out ex-CIA operative/assassin, who has given up on life. Creasy's friend Rayburn brings him to Mexico City to be a bodyguard to nine-year-old Pita Ramos, daughter of industrialist Samuel Ramos and his wife Lisa. Creasy is not interested in being a bodyguard, especially to a youngster, but for lack of something better to do, he accepts the assignment. Creasy barely tolerates the precocious child and her pestering questions about him and his life. But slowly, she chips away at his seemingly impenetrable exterior, his defenses drop, and he opens up to her. Creasy's new-found purpose in life is shattered when Pita is kidnapped. Despite being seriously wounded during the kidnapping, he vows to kill anyone ...

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Plot Keywords:

kidnapping | corrupt cop | police corruption | mexico | bodyguard | 

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Taglines:

Creasy's art is death, and he is about to paint his masterpiece.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and strong violence

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

23 April 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Man on Fire

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$22,751,490 (USA) (23 April 2004)

Gross:

$77,862,546 (USA) (13 August 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Regency Enterprises, New Regency Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

146 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer Brian Helgeland first saw the original L'homme de feu (1987) when he was renting videos in the late-'80s. He walked in to the video store where Quentin Tarantino was working, and asked what was good. Tarantino recommended L'homme de feu (1987).

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Goofs

At the bottom of the cliff, a guy in a lab coat is walking around with a clipboard, a fireman appears to be putting _up_ a fire hose, and Jorge Gonzales' car is attached to a tow truck, all happening while the car is still burning. The behavior of the lab coat guy and the fireman would be unusual but perhaps not impossible, but there is no way that any tow truck operator would begin to mount a still-burning vehicle.

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Quotes

Sister Anna: [after driving Pita to school for the first time] Do you ever see the Hand of God in what you do?
Creasy: No, not for a long time.
Sister Anna: The Bible says, "Do not be over come with evil, but overcome...?
Creasy: But overcome evil with good."
Creasy: [in Spanish] That's Romans Chapter 12 Verse 21.
Creasy: I am the sheep that got lost, Madre.

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to Mexico City. A very special place.

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Connections

Referenced in Fear of Clowns (2004)

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Soundtracks

Deedrah Reload (GMS Remix)
Written by Frederic Holysweski
Performed by Deedrah
Courtesy of Spun Records
(Contains a sample of "380 Volts"
Written and Performed by The S.U.N. Project
Also contains a sample of "The Rush"
Written by Riktam, Bansi and Chicago
Performed by Zorba
Courtesy of Spun Records/Tip World)

User Reviews

Perfect...Just Perfect. Do yourselves a favor and watch it but...

...dont read any plot summaries because in words the plot might seem trivial, brain-dead and pointless. The film is excellent, the acting by both Denzel and Dakota (she will go sky high, trust me on that)are just fabulous, and the plot is mind blowing. Actually "fabulous" is a small word to use for such talented actors. The film is just based on actual facts and some characters are not fictional, a fact that adds up to the shock that i was having during and after the film. If you are fond of both actors and of somewhat deranged films, you still haven't watched your favorite one yet...Trust me, in the end you will have a weird and inexplicable feeling. The film is awesome, see it, rent it, buy it or whatever...just don't miss it