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The Negotiator

  • 19981998
  • 1515
  • 2h 20m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
140K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,862
864
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey in The Negotiator (1998)
Trailer
Play trailer0:33
1 Video
67 Photos
ActionCrimeDrama

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.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.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.

IMDb RATING
7.3/10
140K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,862
864
  • Director
    • F. Gary Gray
  • Writers
    • James DeMonaco
    • Kevin Fox
  • Stars
    • Samuel L. Jackson
    • Kevin Spacey
    • David Morse
Top credits
  • Director
    • F. Gary Gray
  • Writers
    • James DeMonaco
    • Kevin Fox
  • Stars
    • Samuel L. Jackson
    • Kevin Spacey
    • David Morse
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 321User reviews
    • 68Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos1

    The Negotiator
    Trailer 0:33
    The Negotiator

    Photos67

    Samuel L. Jackson and J.T. Walsh in The Negotiator (1998)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey in The Negotiator (1998)
    Kevin Spacey and Ron Rifkin in The Negotiator (1998)
    Kevin Spacey in The Negotiator (1998)
    Samuel L. Jackson in The Negotiator (1998)
    Gene Wolande with Samuel L. Jackson  and Regina Taylor on the set of THE NEGOTIATOR.
    Morewitz (Gene Wolande), Danny (Samuel L. Jackson) and his wife (Regina Taylor), listen to the D.A. (Jack Shearer) spell out the charges in THE NEGOTIATOR.
    Danny (Samuel L. Jackson) and his attorney Morewitz (Gene Wolande) face off as his wife (Regina Taylor) watches in THE NEGOTIATOR.
    The Negotiator (1998)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey in The Negotiator (1998)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey in The Negotiator (1998)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey in The Negotiator (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Samuel L. Jackson
    Samuel L. Jackson
    • Danny Romanas Danny Roman
    Kevin Spacey
    Kevin Spacey
    • Chris Sabianas Chris Sabian
    David Morse
    David Morse
    • Adam Beckas Adam Beck
    Ron Rifkin
    Ron Rifkin
    • Grant Frostas Grant Frost
    John Spencer
    John Spencer
    • Chief Al Travisas Chief Al Travis
    J.T. Walsh
    J.T. Walsh
    • Terence Niebaumas Terence Niebaum
    Siobhan Fallon Hogan
    Siobhan Fallon Hogan
    • Maggieas Maggie
    • (as Siobhan Fallon)
    Paul Giamatti
    Paul Giamatti
    • Rudyas Rudy
    Regina Taylor
    Regina Taylor
    • Karen Romanas Karen Roman
    Bruce Beatty
    Bruce Beatty
    • Markusas Markus
    Michael Cudlitz
    Michael Cudlitz
    • Palermoas Palermo
    Carlos Gómez
    Carlos Gómez
    • Eagleas Eagle
    Tim Kelleher
    Tim Kelleher
    • Argentoas Argento
    Dean Norris
    Dean Norris
    • Scottas Scott
    Nestor Serrano
    Nestor Serrano
    • Hellmanas Hellman
    Doug Spinuzza
    Doug Spinuzza
    • Tonrayas Tonray
    Leonard L. Thomas
    • Allenas Allen
    • (as Leonard Thomas)
    Stephen Lee
    Stephen Lee
    • Farleyas Farley
    • Director
      • F. Gary Gray
    • Writers
      • James DeMonaco
      • Kevin Fox
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Ted Walters
    police conspiracyopening action scenepolice shootoutlast film role for actorfbi federal bureau of investigation110 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Chicago's two top negotiators must face each other. One of them is holding hostages. The other is demanding surrender. And everyone's holding their breath.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • 15
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie was originally written to star Sylvester Stallone and Kevin Spacey. Kevin Spacey was supposed to be the hostage-taker with Stallone playing opposite him. When Stallone turned down the part, Spacey decided he wanted to play Chris Sabian rather than Danny Roman. Fortunately, the role originally meant for him was re-cast with Samuel L. Jackson.
    • Goofs
      Police negotiators and entry teams conduct their activities independent of one another so that the negotiator doesn't inadvertently let the hostage taker know what the entry team is doing.
    • Quotes

      Lieutenant Danny Roman: When your friends betray you, sometimes the only people you can trust are strangers.

    • Alternate versions
      On newer prints of the film, including VUDU, the Warner Bros. 75 Years logo is omitted at the beginning. However, the 1992 "Distributed By Warner Bros." logo is retained at the end of the film.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Saving Private Ryan/The Parent Trap/Jane Austen's Mafia!/Disturbing Behavior (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Rise
      Performed and Written by Craig Armstrong

      Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd./Melankolic

    User reviews321

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Just about Ok
    The Negotiator as the title means is a film about Samuel L Jackson who plays a hostage negotiator.

    Samuel L Jackson and Kevin Spacey, acclaimed actors that they are, are excellent in their roles. I thought Spacey though, doesn't have much scope to showcase his acting skills, as the movie is more about the lead protagonist.

    The action scenes are superb and the films director F Gary Gray even went on to direct one of the Fast & Furious sequels.

    The main issue in a film which is supposed to be a taut thriller about how a hostage negotiator is implicated in the murder of his cop partner and how he goes about to prove his innocence, is the many loopholes and the believability. The logic fails in many places, hence you ending up feeling disappointed. Hence the toss up for me was 'between not so good' or ' just watchable'.

    Even the climax scene lacks a certain 'easiness' in the way the actual culprits are caught.

    If you want to watch Samuel L Jackson at his best (he normally always is) and some good action sequences, then this is the movie to see. Otherwise it is just an 'Ok' watch.
    helpful•4
    0
    • anupn-79097
    • Nov 1, 2019

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    Photos

    FAQ1

    • What is "The Negotiator" about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 27, 1998 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • Germany
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Người Thương Thuyết
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • New Regency Productions
      • Mandeville Films
      • New Regency Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $50,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $44,547,681
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,218,831
      • Aug 2, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $44,547,681
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS-Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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