The Negotiator

7/29/19982h 20m

Theatrical Release (US)

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

Overview:

The police try to arrest expert hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who insists he's being framed for his partner's murder in what he believes is an elaborate conspiracy. Thinking there's evidence in the Internal Affairs offices that might clear him, he takes everyone in the office hostage and demands that another well-known negotiator be brought in to handle the situation and secretly investigate the conspiracy.

Director:

F. Gary Gray

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$50,000,000.00

Revenue:

$44,547,681.00

Key words:

chicago, illinois
corruption
police
hostage
innocence
pension
hostage-taking
murder
conspiracy
bullet wound
urban setting
blunt
negotiator
provocative
critical
audacious
commanding

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson

~ as ~

Lt. Danny Roman

Kevin Spacey

~ as ~

Lt. Chris Sabian

David Morse

~ as ~

Cdr. Adam Beck

Ron Rifkin

~ as ~

Cdr. Grant Frost

John Spencer

~ as ~

Chief Al Travis

J. T. Walsh

~ as ~

Insp. Terence Niebaum

Siobhan Fallon Hogan

~ as ~

Maggie

Paul Giamatti

~ as ~

Rudy

Regina Taylor

~ as ~

Karen Roman

Bruce Beatty

~ as ~

Markus

View full cast & crew

Reviews (2)

CinemaSerf
Written 3 year(s) ago
7
Samuel L. Jackson is renowned hostage negotiator "Roman" who is shocked to learn of the murder of his partner. A little further investigation reveals that he had been looking into a multi-million dollar pension fraud. Next thing he knows, "Roman" is being charged with his friend's killing and decides to turn the tables. He goes to the office of the Internal Affairs department, seizes some hostages, barricades himself into the locked office and summons another negotiator "Sabian" (Kevin Spacey) to the scene. What now unfolds is a cleverly crafted detective mystery as the two must overcome their initial professional suspicions of the other, and gradually try to piece together what actually did happen to his pal and to ascertain just who did steal all the cash! It's a good, solid, story this and it's well told with Jackson and Spacey delivering a tale of corruption and mistrust that illustrates just how tough it is to fight back when the very people there to enforce the law are those abusing it. The supporting cast are a bit lacklustre - maybe a bit like an episode of "Hill Street Blues" but it flows well with a tricky denouement that though predictable enough, is quite well executed. It's maybe a bit on the long side, it does take a while to get up an head of steam - but once we get going, it is at the better end of the genre.
R
RalphRahal
Written 10 month(s) ago
8
The Negotiator is one of those classic thrillers that still holds up well today. The plot is engaging from the start, throwing you into a tense, high-stakes standoff where trust and deception play a big role. The pacing is solid, though it stretches a bit in parts, but the setup and execution make up for it.

F. Gary Gray's direction keeps the tension tight, balancing action and drama without overcomplicating things. The cinematography isn't flashy, but it works well in capturing the claustrophobic feel of the hostage situation, making you feel right there with the characters.

What really makes this movie stand out is the acting. Samuel L. Jackson delivers an intense, gripping performance that makes it easy to connect with his character and root for him. Kevin Spacey plays off him perfectly, creating a dynamic where their back-and-forth feels natural and engaging.

The supporting cast is strong too, though some characters feel a bit underdeveloped. The script does a good job keeping the dialogue sharp and the tension high, but at times, it leans into familiar tropes that might feel predictable.

The score and sound design do their job well, enhancing the mood without being too overpowering. While the soundtrack isn't particularly memorable, the way sound is used to heighten key moments is effective.

Overall, The Negotiator is a well-crafted thriller with strong performances and a gripping story. It might not be flawless, but it delivers where it counts, making it an easy movie to rewatch and appreciate.