IMDb > Mad City (1997)
Mad City
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Mad City (1997) -- A normal guy blows his top, and a news reporter turns into a national spectacle.
Mad City (1997) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   8,961 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Tom Matthews (story) &
Eric Williams (story) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Mad City on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 November 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
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 synopsis
User Comments:
The most underrated film of 1997 more (61 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Dustin Hoffman ... Max Brackett

John Travolta ... Sam Baily

Alan Alda ... Kevin Hollander

Mia Kirshner ... Laurie Callahan
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
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for depiction of a hostage situation, including violence and brief language.
Runtime:
114 min | Argentina:115 min | Turkey:101 min (TV version)
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Quotes:
Lou Potts: Jeez, I sent you to cover a piece of fluff, and you come back with a hostage situation. more
Movie Connections:
References Dog Day Afternoon (1975) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
16 out of 19 people found the following comment useful.
The most underrated film of 1997, 28 October 1998
Author: James Culver from Spokane, WA

I'll be the first one to admit that this is not a movie for

everyone- it's not your average mainstream Hollywood movie. However, it IS a brilliant, scathing satire of the media's true power in modern-day society. Instead of going for overkill like the pathetic "Natural Born Killers," this movie uses dark comedy, brilliant performances, and genuine thrills to create one of the most clever and powerful social commentaries to be seen in film in years. If you're expecting a typical Hollywood thriller with a formula plot and a nice, neat ending then you'll be disappointed, but if you're looking for a smart, powerful film with brilliant performances by Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta, then I would recommend this movie. In a time when events like the O.J. Simpson trial make the media's influence in our society more than apparent, it's refreshing to see a movie willing to stare this issue right in the face.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (61 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Mad City (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I want that music... M-I-N-A-K-o
UNDERRATED? cristilogo
Other movies about media manipulation binc_kato
Missed the end asia_06-1
Mel Gibson arunsah
Mad City when it was filming... xevilriotqueenx
more

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