Proof Of Life (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: Tense, gripping, good performances by Crowe and Ryan...
Disadvantages: ... too much bad language, some parts ill-developed or contrived

...telling you!) WHAT IS A PROOF OF LIFE? A proof of life is what negotiators insist on getting before the deals start to be made. Basically it is proof that the kidnapped person is alive - so, a photograph of them holding a recent newspaper with the date clearly visible, allowing them to talk over the radio, etc, would be a proof of life. Before that is obtained, no negotiations can be made as there's no guarantee that the person being bargained ... Read review

Advantages: Great acting and cinematography
Disadvantages: Watching that cad, Crowe, at work

Proof of life is the latest film starring Russell Crowe (Gladiator, The Insider, LA Confidential) to be released on DVD. In it, he plays an Australian hostage retrieval expert, Terry Thorne. Our first encounter with Thorne is in a meeting with with his company's board members as he briefs them on his recent K+R (kidnap and ransom) case in Chechnya (I think that's how it's spelt). Meanwhile, in Tecala, Ecuador, a local terrorist militia kidnaps ... Read review

Advantages: Crowe, Morse, nice locations
Disadvantages: Ryan, no real direction in plot

Proof of Life was Russell Crowe's follow up film to the epic gladiator. His elevated star status and of course that brief flirtation with Meg Ryan could have led to some box office gold but instead this film was a bit of a dud. There is a reason for this and part of it is the fact that it was up against The Grinch. Crowe plays Terry Thorne, a hostage retrieval expert who is brought in to negotiate the release of Peter Bowman. Ryan plays Alice ... Read review

Advantages: Crowe
Disadvantages: thin plot

After my disappointment of seeing that The Gift had been sold out at my local cinema, I reluctantly went to this film, without a lot of optimism. Well, I think this was for the best actually! The film is not a classic, but, if like me, you find yourself in a position where there is not a lot of other decent films on near that time, do not dismiss this film. Written by Taylor Hackford, this kidnap drama did flop at the US box office, not sure why, ... Read review

Advantages: good transfer and sound, commentary
Disadvantages: average film, not many extras for price

...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. ... Read review

Advantages: Original
Disadvantages: Too long

...original. I went to see Proof of Life as soon as it came out at the cinema, not because I was especially drawn to it in any way, but because my friend was too scared to see Hannibal. My judgement of the film may also be influenced by the fact that I went to the late showing that didn't get started until 10.30, and was still showing no signs of an ending through midnight. So, the story? An American engineer in South America has been kidnapped ... Read review

Advantages: David Caruso and David Morse are good, and the premise is good
Disadvantages: Zero chemistry between Crowe and Ryan. Dull and unentertaining

Set in the volatile political climate of Ecuador, ‘Proof of Life’ is basically a film about an engineer, Peter Bowman (David Morse, The Rock, The Negotiator) who is kidnapped by a ruthless gang of guerillas. Enter former SAS man, Terry Thorne (Russell Crowe), a specialist in K&R (kidnap and ransom) to negotiate the terms of his release, whilst comforting and gaining the trust of Bowman’s wife Alice (Meg Ryan). The ransom demands ... Read review

Advantages: Great acting and directing
Disadvantages: Imbalance at times. Have to be in the right frame of mind

This 2000 kidnap drama from director Taylor Hackford has a very good all round package. It has some marvellous scenery and some mood-setting lighting which has given this film some praise. It combines the talents of Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe in roles we would not normally associate them with. The Plot Alice and Peter Bowman are in South America with Peter an engineer working on a project. Peter is kidnapped by some anti-government guerillas ... Read review

Advantages: Good cast.
Disadvantages: A slow pace very long average movie

...learn a new meaning of proof of life but for me it is still the good old heartbeat and an ECG strip. ... Read review

Advantages: Had some potential, nice scenery
Disadvantages: Wasted both of them

Proof of Life... I'm not in the habit of writing reviews of films right after I've seen them, but I thought I might make an exception in this case, (and I think I might after I watch the Watcher tomorrow :). Mainly because I'm absolutely determined to write more film reviews... Back to the plot... Well, what to say about it? Well, ulitmately, it's disappointing. I don't want it to be, but it is. A good cast, let down by poor direction and a ... Read review

Advantages: Russell Crowe (mmm), action is good, exciting in places
Disadvantages: Slow to begin with

I completely ignored all the bad reviews and went to see this film having loved Russell Crowe's performance in Gladiator. Again, he plays the hero, Terry Thorne, who decides to help Alice Bowman (Meg Ryan) get her husband, Peter (David Morse), back after he is kidnapped and ransomed in the South American country they are living in. The rebels who have kidnapped him, think they can make millions of dollars from the oil company Peter works for, and ... Read review

Advantages: See Review
Disadvantages: See Review

...Crowe star in hostage drama Proof of Life. Living in South America with wife Alice (Ryan), engineer Peter Bowman (David Morse) is kidnapped by terrorists and ransomed at £3 Million. The only person Alice can trust to get him back is terry Thorne (Crowe), an expert in resolving kidnap and ransom situations and a former SAS soldiers. Thorne agrees to oversee Peter’s release but as negotiations go from days to weeks to months, he finds himself ... Read review