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IMDbPro

Mad City

  • 19971997
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
20K
YOUR RATING
Mad City (1997)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
39 Photos
CrimeDramaThriller
A distraught man inadvertently takes a group of children hostage in a museum while a hungry, seasoned reporter tries to resurrect his career covering the story.A distraught man inadvertently takes a group of children hostage in a museum while a hungry, seasoned reporter tries to resurrect his career covering the story.A distraught man inadvertently takes a group of children hostage in a museum while a hungry, seasoned reporter tries to resurrect his career covering the story.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
20K
YOUR RATING
    • Costa-Gavras
    • Tom Matthews(screenplay)
    • Eric Williams(story)
  • Stars
    • John Travolta
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Alan Alda
    • Costa-Gavras
    • Tom Matthews(screenplay)
    • Eric Williams(story)
  • Stars
    • John Travolta
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Alan Alda
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 81User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 45Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Mad City
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Mad City

    Photos39

    Dustin Hoffman in Mad City (1997)
    Mia Kirshner and Bill Nunn in Mad City (1997)
    Blythe Danner in Mad City (1997)
    Alan Alda in Mad City (1997)
    Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta in Mad City (1997)
    Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta in Mad City (1997)
    Dustin Hoffman, Lucinda Jenney, and Ted Levine in Mad City (1997)
    John Travolta in Mad City (1997)
    Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta in Mad City (1997)
    Cuba Gooding Jr. at an event for Mad City (1997)
    Cuba Gooding Jr. at an event for Mad City (1997)
    Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna at an event for Mad City (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Travolta
    John Travolta
    • Sam
    Dustin Hoffman
    Dustin Hoffman
    • Brackett
    Alan Alda
    Alan Alda
    • Kevin Hollander
    Mia Kirshner
    Mia Kirshner
    • Laurie
    Robert Prosky
    Robert Prosky
    • Lou Potts
    Blythe Danner
    Blythe Danner
    • Mrs. Banks
    William Atherton
    William Atherton
    • Dohlen
    Ted Levine
    Ted Levine
    • Lemke
    Tammy Lauren
    Tammy Lauren
    • Miss Rose
    William O'Leary
    William O'Leary
    • CTN Junior Executive
    Raymond J. Barry
    Raymond J. Barry
    • Dobbins
    Lucinda Jenney
    Lucinda Jenney
    • Jenny
    Akosua Busia
    Akosua Busia
    • Diane
    Ebbe Roe Smith
    Ebbe Roe Smith
    • Bartholomew
    Bingwa
    • Nat Jackson
    Chris Byrne
    Chris Byrne
    • KXBD Cameraman
    Bobby Brewer
    • The Kids
    Max Becker
    • The Kids
      • Costa-Gavras
      • Tom Matthews(screenplay) (story)
      • Eric Williams(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Changing Lanes
    6.5
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    Missing
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      On an interview Dustin Hoffman mentioned that whenever he appears in a movie he dislikes or has a poor performance with critics or audiences he tends to give nicknames to those movies. This one he called as "Mad Shitty".
    • Goofs
      With his shotgun, Sam shoots a former co-worker through a glass door, but the glass remains intact.
    • Quotes

      Lou Potts: Jeez, I sent you to cover a piece of fluff, and you come back with a hostage situation.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Red Corner/Critical Care/Switchback/Family Name (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Jenny's Garden
      Written and Produced by Philippe Sarde

    User reviews81

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    a show of life
    MAD CITY is exciting and thrilling from the first scene.

    A talented success-hunting reporter is sent by his boss to a totally not interesting job: to do a story about a museum with financiary problems. Upset and defeated, DUSTIN HOFFMAN's character goes there and has the chance of running into what will prove to be the story of his life: a guy enters the museum and takes everyone inside hostage. It's a smart movie, just because it debates themes that can only lead to smart scenes. Probably the best thing about MAD CITY are the actors: Travolta and Hoffman are great in their roles and they add an extra-value to the movie by the way they act.

    What if you really need money to support your family and you just got fired? How far are you able to go to get your job back? Far enough to enter a museum and threat the owner with a gun? Surely. But what if by mistake you do something that you can't get out from? That's Travolta's situation.

    What if all your life you aimed for a great story that will totally change everything about you? How far are you able to go? Far enough to play the victim's life in your hands an organise a live show from which you practically doom him to death? That's Hoffman's situation.

    The plot grows rapidly and it's very convincing. And the ending is the only one possible.

    Costa-Gavras does a great job with this movie and manages to mantain balance between the characters and the action. Good job. Vote: 8 out of 10.
    helpful•34
    11
    • Mickey Knox
    • Nov 12, 2000

    FAQ1

    • What is Mad City about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 7, 1997 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Capital Club Athletics, N. 3rd Street, San Jose, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Arnold Kopelson Productions
      • Punch Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 55 minutes
      • Color
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS

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