Directed by:
Costa-GavrasScreenplay:
Tom MatthewsCinematography:
Patrick BlossierComposer:
Thomas NewmanCast:
John Travolta, Dustin Hoffman, Mia Kirshner, Alan Alda, Robert Prosky, Blythe Danner, William Atherton, Ted Levine, Tammy Lauren, Raymond J. Barry (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
When a recently fired museum guard files a grievance with his boss by menacing her with a shotgun and ends up with a gaggle of schoolkid hostages, it seems like the perfect opportunity for a has-been news anchor to revive his flagging career. Indeed, the ratings soar, with the newsman inflating the standoff and priming his slow-witted star for the limelight. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Videos (1)
Reviews (3)
And this is why I don’t watch TV. A wonderful drama with a tortured John Travolta and calm and cool Dustin Hoffman about the fact that no truth exists. The only truth is the one that they want us to see. Why? Television’s good.
()
If the script had added some tempo and atmosphere earlier than in the last fifteen minutes, instead of repeatedly playing with children and playful conversations between Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta, it could have been great. As it is, the actors can do pretty decent jobs, but the monotonous script, incapable of moving the plot to a different level, undermines all their efforts.
()
Travolta in the role of a tough security guard is exemplary and Hoffman, as a journalist, is charismatic in his typically unobtrusive yet very convincing way. The film excellently oscillates between drama and comedy, with the actors having the biggest share in the quality of the outcome. As for how realistically the media world of newspapers and television is portrayed, I dare not say, but it is presented in a sufficiently modern and dynamic manner, which is difficult to object to, and the average viewer will not concern themselves with it. It is a good film, it has a point, drive, and quality spark in the dialogues between the main characters. Occasionally, it may be a bit stereotypical, but otherwise, it's good.
()
Gallery (34)
Photo © 1997 Warner Bros.
![Mad City - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/166/508/166508372_7c5f15.jpg)
Ads