Giving opinions for several years and showing like a fine vintage
Giving opinions for several years and showing like a fine vintage
Member since:11.07.2000
Reviews:624
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I've already offered opinion on the film in another section so I don't feel I have to repeat myself here, after all this is a dvd opinion but some like to have a bit of background on the film so here goes.
Russell Crowe plays a kidnap and ransom negotiator brought into deal with the release of Peter Bowman (David Morse) from a kidnap group. Meg Ryan plays Alice Bowman, the wife who's naturally quite worried but also a bit distant from her husband. Naturally there is some attraction between the two which seems wrong to both of them considering the difficult circumstances.
Proof of Life is meant to be an impossible love story but only once do we get a real moment of attraction in the whole two hours and that is the real problem. The film has no real direction and when the most interesting scenes aren't part of the film's desired theme you have a problem.
These problems probably helped steer the fim to very mediocre box office grosses. As a result the dvd is merely average and not the special edition it could have been if it had taken more money.
Warner Brothers track record on dvd transfers for their new films has generally been quite good. Proof of life is no exception with some strong clarity and very solid colour in the print. There are a few speckles on the print towards the end but overall a very good transfer.
The Dolby Digital sound mix is also quite solid. For large parts of the film the sound is confined to the front soundstage but at more action packed times you can expect some good rear action with the usual bullets and explosion type affair.
Some simple but nice animated menus lead you into a minimal amount of extras as well as the standard scene selections.
The HBO 'making of' is pretty standard fare but gives some good information on the film for it's short running time. There is a lot of behind the scenes footage and I actually learned something about the Kidnap and Ransom industry as a result of watching.
Director Taylor Hackford also contributes an audio commentary to the film. I previously heard Hackford's track for The Devil's Advocate and that was an entertaining listen. This is no exception with some good information shared about the movie and the logistical nightmares that came from shooting on location.
Finally there is a page that lists cast and crew but it's just a page of text with no biographies of any kind. It's interesting that there are no deleted scenes included on the dvd as a selection was classified through the BBFC. This process costs money so they were obviously planned but never materialize. I'm sure if the film was more succesful then you would have seen them.
This is a film that in my view is worth a watch but I wouldn't own it. However each to their own, if you like the film then a good sound and picture quality awaits you but a £15.99 price tage considering the extras would have been more viable.
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Production Year: 1999 - Drama, Thriller - Director: M. Night Shyamalan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Olivia Williams, Glenn Fitzgerald, Mischa Barton, Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Inspired by aVanity Fairarticle,Proof of Lifeis that rarest of Hollywood commodities: the ... more
exploration of an original idea. Kidnapping may have graced our screens in the likes ofRansom, but the revelatory material here exposes a billion dollar industry....
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Alice Bowman is world-travelled and savvy but nothing could prepare her for this. Rebels ... more
in a politically volatile Latin American country have kidnapped her husband for ransom. Meg Ryan plays Alice and Russell Crowe plays Terry Thorne the hostage re...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Stunning kidnap drama starring Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe.Alice Bowman is world-travelled ... more
and savvy but nothing could prepare her for this. Rebels in a politically volatile Latin American country have kidnapped her husband for ransom. The asking price:...
Inspired by aVanity Fairarticle,Proof of Lifeis that rarest of Hollywood commodities: the ... more
exploration of an original idea. Kidnapping may have graced our screens in the likes ofRansom, but the revelatory material here exposes a billion dollar industry....
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: David Caruso and David Morse are good, and the premise is good Disadvantages: Zero chemistry between Crowe and Ryan. Dull and unentertaining
Alex1226 03.03.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)
Advantages: David Caruso and David Morse are good, and the premise is good Disadvantages: Zero chemistry between Crowe and Ryan. Dull and unentertaining
Alex1226 03.03.2001 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)
![Proof Of Life [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78542101.jpg "Proof Of Life [DVD] [2001]")
Sep 14th, 2001
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