Proof of Life
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Movie Reviews of Proof of Life
Movie Review: Mom Was Right
Summary: 4 Stars
Decades ago, my mother used to say we should never know anything about a performer's personal life or opinions because that gets in the way of clear-eyed enjoyment or assessment of his or her work. When it comes to PROOF OF LIFE, that is notoriously the case. This movie deserves better than it got. It easily makes a place in that wide-open space in our culture for generally well-made entertainment that isn't gunning for awards. Inspired by actual circumstances, the story cuts back and forth between an American executive kidnapped in a South American country by a guerilla band hoping to ransom him for high stakes insurance dollars and the rescue efforts engaged by the man's wife and sister. The pacing is appropriately tense and sprite, and there are some embellishments and complications, not really whole subplots, that keep it varied and interesting. The rules of hostage holding and negotiation are not what one unfamiliar with such activity would expect. This action unfolds across a few months' time, and the filmmaker maintains suspense until the last.
The dialogue is decent, the characters almost all filled out by strong direction and acting. Russell Crowe brings his usual level of commitment to his role as the leader of the rescue effort. David Caruso is fine as his back-up, and he has the most memorable line in the film. David Morse, as the role of the kidnapped executive requires, turns in a performance as weighty as Crowe's. Pamela Reed is enjoyably original as the abrasive sister-in-law, sort of a snapping terrier backing up Meg Ryan's vulnerable wife. I hated to see her character leave in the middle, though it made plot sense. Much criticism has been leveled at Ryan and I think the problem is that her role as written and directed is more ingénue-ish and thus, played off the more character-driven parts, it pales. Some of her comedic tics come through in a few spots, which the director should have corrected--the wave of the hand, the wag of the head, the loose gait. That said, she's not terrible and I can't think of anyone else at the moment who could have done much better with the material handed her.
This is an intelligent action film. There is violence appropriate to the story line but the filmmaker does not indulge in gratuitous blood baths. Nor does he use nudity or profanity to replace visual interest or strong dialogue. No cop-outs here. The DVD is not overloaded with many features, and that's okay. We have enough extra features on THE LORD OF THE RINGS to last us until the DVD player dies.
Movie Review: Someone stop letting Meg Ryan make "serious" movies
Summary: 4 Stars
I rented this alone because it got such terrible reviews that no one would watch it with me. Surprise, it was not too bad. There are definitely some flaws, but I think critics jumped on them, eager to capitalize on the Meg/Russell tryst ... ultimately underrating the movie in favor of Hollywood gossip.Flaws: 1. Meg Ryan. The absolute wrong choice for this movie. She barely gets beyond the romantic-comedy acting staple of crinkly nose and touseled hair. She is undenaibly adorable, but HELLO! she's in the midst of a kidnapping crisis in a third-world country and she's recovering from a miscarriage. Why is she wearing pink lip gloss? And how come, after months in this crisis, she still looks as fresh as Tom Hanks' daisies from "You've Got Mail?" 2. The romance factor. It was over-hyped by the media ... there is barely any romance. That's not to say that Russell doesn't try, using his "i'm emoting my repressed emotions through one smoldering glare" technique. Very effective. However, it is clearly tacked on and not very interesting. More action, less smoldering, please. 3. Character development. We never figure out why these characters (Russell, in particular) do what they do. It seems as though the writers got in to the tequila between rewrites and chucked the characters out the window. 4. Pamela Reed. How could you be so likeable a person and such an annoying part of this movie? I don't blame her. I blame #3.
Triumphs: 1. Russell Crowe. Though not as brilliant as his "Insider" or "LA Confidential" turns as a tough but lovable and conflicted man, he brings pure emotion to all that he does. That man can convey in a sidelong glance what Meg Ryan would have to take out a billboard to express. 2. David Morse. One of the most consistent, watchable, likeable, talented actors out there. Check him out as my favorite guy in "Green Mile" and as the husband here. He's awesome. 3. The action. Taut, interesting and well put together. You will want to be a kidnap negotiator. Or at least you'll need a manicure to repair bitten down nails.
All in all, a nice diversion and an interesting watch. This movie should have been marketed as an action movie, not a romance. So, if you like action and Russell Crowe, try it out. During the boring parts, play the Meg Ryan drinking game. Every time she attempts to emote, take a drink. By the end of the movie, it will almost be like she's acting!
Movie Review: Looks better after second viewing
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie about the negotiator Therry Thorne who, to clear his conscience, undertakes to rescue desperate Alice Bowman's husband, who is being held hostage by some South American guerrillas, has been eagerly anticipated by Crowe's fans (and not only by them) and deserves especial scrutiny after Gladiator's overwhelming success. However, I've nothing new to say about the Gladi-actor: Crowe's set of facial expressions may be limited (as some critic said), but he's got enough of them to show his character's tough and reserved exterior, as well as sensitive, tender hidden feelings, mostly betrayed through his eyes. The story is pushed along by Crowe's charisma and persuasive performance. True, the movie drags slowly for the first 40 minutes, but as Thorne steps into business, things start rolling. And it's always a treat to see Crowe in action scenes.D Morse's performance has won much praise and I can only join my voice to them: the audience roots for him - courageous and suffering Peter Bowman.
As to Alice Bowman, some reviewers critisized her harshly and called her bad names, but I'd not judge her so harsh: we can't blame her for falling for Thorne (hey, girls, wouldn't you?), considering his charm and her despair and need for support. The problem is that M Ryan succeeds in showing she's falling for Thorne much more convincingly than showing she still loves her husband and wants him back (she should seriously concentrate her acting efforts on that). I sincerely tried to like her, but Ryan simply is not the actress to reflect her Alice pulling out such moral dilemma. While Crowe easily keeps distance (although his eyes betray reflection of hidden feelings), his Therry being supportive and compassionate, delightful glitter in Alice's eyes says "I can't wait to be left tete-a-tete with this guy" (like in a scene in the airport, when Peter's sister is leaving). While captive Peter's reminiscences of Alice are touching and she remains his only hope to keep himself sane, her direct stares at Thorne and lame theatrics are unsettling and annoying. This plot line is a complete dead-end.
To sum up, it's a good thriller about patience, courage, self-sacrifice and dangers of working in Equador, spoiled by hit-and-miss attempts to water it with lame romance. I watced POL twice and liked it more after the second viewing.Good enough for all Crowe fans, but might have been excellent. Might have been...
Movie Review: Good acting, great photography but weak lead actress
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the sort of action flick that has the little extra story to keep it interesting for someone who will not be satisfied with just action, in the same category as, say, "Clear And Present Danger". Terry Thorne (R. Crowe) is a London-based "K&R" (Kidnap & Ransom) consultant sent to a chaotic South American country of your choice to negotiate the release of kidnapped engineer Peter Bowman. Due to the acquisition of Bowman's company by another, there is suddenly noone willing to pay the K&R fees for Thorne and the ransom itself, and so Thorne is whistled back to London, Mission Not Accomplished. But he feels sorry for the despairing wife (M. Ryan) and goes back on his own money soon after. He gets help from old friends (also "K&R consultants"), amongst which actor David Caruso stands out with his cool, straight-talking manner and out-of-control joy when completing the mission, enabling the launch of his own firm in the business. The fact that there is some romantic tension between the wife and the "K&R consultant" is entirely credible (we're talking about a period of more than 100 days of pressure on both, with noone else to run to). Unfortunately, Ryan was inappropriate for this role. Her sunshine face with those childishly blue eyes just never seems really affected by what's going on around. Suspense builds up slowly but effectively towards the last quarter of the movie, and culminates in a nicely choreographed action sequence. Photography and sound in this film are superior, most actors' performance excellent, including of course that of Crowe - although he says "mate" one time too many for my taste (the character he plays is Australian). I also liked the film for another reason. It is mercifully removed from the usual bleeding-heart anti-capitalism of Hollywood and has no sympathy for the kidnappers. And while it's certainly not flattering for the big corporation behind Bowman to leave him in the lurch, the solution does not come from some tax-payer financed intervention (the U.S. embassy is disinterested or incompetent or both.) It is the desire of Crowe's sidekick Caruso to establish himself independently through this coup (=greed!!) and Crowe's own compassion for the victim's family that kick in to the rescue.Movie Review: An Excellent Underrated Film
Summary: 4 Stars
Proof of Life was the first movie to come out after Russell Crowe's enormous hit, Gladiator. Unfortunately, the thing most remembered about this movie is the real life romance between he and his costar Meg Ryan. I believe this is why the movie was never really seen for what it was - a well made drama with action that is done realistically and with intensity.
The two stars of this film are Crowe and David Morse. Crowe is the K&R (kidnap and ransom) man - a professional hired by insurance companies that specialize in negotiating for victims of kidnapping. The term "proof of life" is one those in Crowe's profession use when negotiating so they know their "client" is still alive. Morse plays an idealistic engineer who is working to build a damn that he thinks will save the impoverished lives of those in the mythical country of Tecala (which represents Columbia). He ends up getting kidnapped by the local "revolutionaries" who earn their money by growing cocaine and ransoming their victims.
Both of these men are excellent actors in their own right, and have an intensity about them that gives the film a slow burn throughout the film. David Caruso also plays a memorable part as Dino, Crowe's partner throughout most of the film. With the power Crowe, Morse, and Caruso deliver, Meg Ryan sadly lacks in this film, and brings nothing interesting to the role.
Taylor Hackford (director of such films as "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Ray") had real K&R consultants as well as military advisors to train the actors in the film. This is clearly evident as Crowe and Caruso make their way through the story with incredible nerve and professionalism. Meanwhile Morse delivers the emotional punch that makes the film and the story that much stronger.
The relationship between Crowe and Ryan can be ignored. What makes me enjoy this film over and over again are the two lead male characters who take command of the movie and keep me watching.