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Mad City (1997)
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Overview
Tagline:
One man will make a mistake. The other will make it a spectacle.Plot:
A normal guy blows his top, and a news reporter turns into a national spectacle. full summary | add synopsisPlot Keywords:
Box Office Flop
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Helicopter
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Hostage
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Media
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Museum
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Will Canton Become Production Chief At Warner'S.? (From Studio Briefing. 20 November 1997)
Box Office Goes Bugs Over Troopers (From Studio Briefing. 10 November 1997)
User Comments:
Media Frenzy leads to... moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | John Travolta | ... | Sam Baily |
 | Dustin Hoffman | ... | Max Brackett |
 | Mia Kirshner | ... | Laurie Callahan |
 | Alan Alda | ... | Kevin Hollander |
 | Robert Prosky | ... | Lou Potts |
 | Blythe Danner | ... | Mrs. Banks |
 | William Atherton | ... | Malt Dohlen |
| Ted Levine | ... | Chief Alvin Lemke |
 | Tammy Lauren | ... | Miss Rose |
 | William O'Leary | ... | CTN Junior Executive #1 |
 | Raymond J. Barry | ... | Special Agent Dobbins |
| Lucinda Jenney | ... | Jenny Baily |
| Akosua Busia | ... | Diane Williams |
| Ebbe Roe Smith | ... | Travis Bartholomew |
| Bingwa | ... | Nat Jackson |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for depiction of a hostage situation, including violence and brief language.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
114 min | Argentina:115 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColour:
Colour (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreCertification:
South Korea:15 | Iceland:12 | Canada:PA (Ontario) | UK:12 (video rating) | UK:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Mexico:B | Netherlands:12 (video premiere) | Norway:11 | Singapore:PG | USA:PG-13MOVIEmeter: 
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This movie gets off to a slow start. To be honest it doesn't build much suspense. It does, however, have a message about modern society. People have a fascination with crisis situations and media personalities feed on that fact like sharks in a frenzy. That can lead situations to escalate out of control.
Dustin Hoffman stole the show as Max Brackett. A fellow viewer couldn't believe that he was the same man that had played in Rainman. He delivers a standout performance as TV news reporter Max Brackett who is looking to inject life back into his career but at the same time retains some sense of compassion and justice. The forces battle inside him through out the film.
John Travolta was on the money but not stellar as Sam Bailey, a recently unemployed security guard on the cusp of losing everything that he owns. Sam is a bit of low watt bulb, but he is basically a good person caught up in a very bad choice and situation that runs awry of his plans. He is very distraught about his situation and popping caffiene pills to stay awake doesn't help his state of mind much either. Not one of Travolta's best but it is still good.
What a pleasure to watch Alan Alda in front of the camera again. As Kevin Hollander he is the guy that you love to hate. Hollander is Max Brackett's nemesis and antagonist. Alda easily departs from his compassionate portrayal of Dr. Haweye Pierce on TV's MASH for this one.
This isn't a perfect film but it is a good one. It will leave you thinking about the message that it has. The acting is good to great.