A disgruntled security guard holds a school trip group hostage, while a news reporter forms a bond with him.
Director:
Costa-Gavras
From metacritic.com
We're watching "Tiger King" on Netflix for sure. Our recommendations also include "Night on Earth", "Ozark," and more.
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Title: Mad City (1997)
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1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| John Travolta | ... | Sam | |
| Dustin Hoffman | ... | Brackett | |
| Mia Kirshner | ... | Laurie | |
| Alan Alda | ... | Kevin Hollander | |
| Robert Prosky | ... | Lou Potts | |
| Blythe Danner | ... | Mrs. Banks | |
| William Atherton | ... | Dohlen | |
| Ted Levine | ... | Lemke | |
| Tammy Lauren | ... | Miss Rose | |
| William O'Leary | ... | CTN Junior Executive | |
| Raymond J. Barry | ... | Dobbins | |
| Lucinda Jenney | ... | Jenny | |
| Akosua Busia | ... | Diane | |
| Ebbe Roe Smith | ... | Bartholomew | |
 |
Bingwa | ... | Nat Jackson |
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Plot Summary
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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>
Plot Keywords:
hostage | museum | natural history museum | news reporter | reporter |Taglines:
This November, the biggest hostage negotiation is about to begin See more »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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Max Brackett: You really shouldn't let a marketing slogan go your head.
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Courtesy of Everest Records
By Arrangement with Source/Q and LaserLight Digital
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Did You Know?
Trivia
In 2018, it was included in the book "101 Marvellous Movies You May Have Missed" by Australian film critic David Stratton. See more »Quotes
Kevin Hollander: I'm who Americans trust for their news.Max Brackett: You really shouldn't let a marketing slogan go your head.
See more »
Soundtracks
The Prisoner SongCourtesy of Everest Records
By Arrangement with Source/Q and LaserLight Digital
See more »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
7 November 1997 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Mad City See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$50,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$4,649,742, 9 November 1997Gross USA:
$10,541,523Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$10,541,523Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1Contribute to This Page
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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.