The Negotiator (1998)

In a desperate attempt to prove his innocence, a skilled police negotiator accused of corruption and murder takes hostages in a government office to gain the time he needs to find the truth.

Director:

F. Gary Gray

Writers:

James DeMonaco, Kevin Fox

Stars:

Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Danny Roman
Kevin Spacey	...	Chris Sabian
David Morse	...	Adam Beck
Ron Rifkin	...	Grant Frost
John Spencer	...	Chief Al Travis
J.T. Walsh	...	Terence Niebaum
Siobhan Fallon Hogan	...	Maggie (as Siobhan Fallon)
Paul Giamatti	...	Rudy
Regina Taylor	...	Karen Roman
Bruce Beatty	...	Markus
Michael Cudlitz	...	Palermo
Carlos Gómez	...	Eagle
Tim Kelleher	...	Argento
Dean Norris	...	Scott
Nestor Serrano	...	Hellman

Storyline

In the midst of an elaborate conspiracy, an expert negotiator is driven to the edge when he's framed for the murder of his partner, as well as embezzling money from his department's pension fund. His only chance to prove his innocence is to take hostages himself, acquire the services of another expert negotiator, and find out who's running the conspiracy before it's too late.

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Plot Keywords:

police conspiracy | opening action scene | police shootout | negotiator | police | 

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Taglines:

He frees hostages for a living. Now he's taking hostages to survive.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 July 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

El mediador

Filming Locations:

635 South Mateo Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,218,831, 2 August 1998, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$44,484,065, 1 November 1998

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,400,000, 25 October 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Regency Enterprises,Mandeville Films,New Regency Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS-Stereo SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kevin Spacey doesn't appear until nearly one-third of the way through the movie.

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Goofs

Obviously the last shot in the ambulance is to show the scene and the patient leaving the place, but a patient inside an ambulance rides with the head to the front.

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Quotes

Lieutenant Danny Roman: You want my blood? Take my blood!

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Connections

References L.A. Confidential (1997)

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Soundtracks

Doin' What I Did
(1994)
Performed and Written by Dwight Yoakam
Courtesy of Reprise Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Markets

User Reviews

somewhat familiar setup made worthwhile by an excellent cast

Lieutenant Danny Roman, just married and quickly becoming recognized as one of Chicago's top hostage negotiators, has his life turned upside down when he's framed for the murder of his partner and embezzlement of his department's pension fund. With the evidence piling up against him and unsure of whom he can trust, he resorts to desperate means by taking hostages himself and acquiring the services of unknown but equally skilled negotiator Chris Sabian in order to clear his name. Sharp, intelligent thriller should be your run-of-the-mill cop flick, but its plot twists are so convincing, its police procedures so realistic, and its acted with such great conviction that you don't want to miss a single moment of it! Jackson and Spacey ignite the screen, but they're surrounded by a top-notch supporting cast. A great piece of work from all those involved. ***