Proof Of Life (DVD)

Proof of Life was Russell Crowe’s first major cinema appearance following the hugely successful film Gladiator. In an attempt to try and establish Crowe as the latest Hollywood heart throb, this picture was intended to be an action thriller, with sizzling sexual chemistry between Crowe and his co-star Meg Ryan. Although this film is not the worst I have ever seen, I’m afraid the finished product falls rather short of what was promised ...
...outlived his usefulness… Where Proof of Life goes wrong is that, with hindsight, considering the film runs for over two hours, its is extremely slow-paced throughout. I would like to credit the film-makers with some artistic licence here, as it is possible that the pace and length of the film are designed to reflect the arduous and time-consuming task of negotiating with the hostages, but somehow I don’t think this was the case. Proof ...

LostWitness 04.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

...“ Why don’t you give Proof Of Life a go”, having seen the trailers in the cinema just before its release I decided I may as well give it a shot. My lord how I wish I hadn’t. Warning this Op is rather large. Overview Of The Film The film masquerades itself as an action/thriller but this is really not the case. The beginning of the film introduces us to Terry Thorne a K&R (Kidnap and Rescue) consultant who is just finishing ...
...The Making Of Proof Of Life This is a short 15 minute documentary about guess what yes that’s right the making of the film, there are interviews with all the main players of the film including director Taylor Hackford as well as real K&R consultants. Not a bad attempt but could have been better. Director’s Commentary As I have expressed in past opinions I really love it when films come with commentary on for me it really adds to the ...

M.Frieel 12.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

On Saturday evening with time to spare and nothing to do, we checked out Sky Premier and its latest offering ‘Proof of Life’ starring Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe. My boyfriend was a little reluctant after hearing it starred Meg Ryan but I reassured him this was no chick flick but more an action thriller any man would be proud to watch. The Plot I didn’t know until after watching it that the movie is based on the true story of Dr. Thomas Hargrove ...
...story was published in Vanity Fair and also his book ‘Long March to Freedom: Tom Hargrove's Own Story of His Kidnapping by Colombian Narco-Guerrillas’. I missed the first 30 seconds of the movie after flitting around the house and pestering Mike to hurry up with his shower so I was a little confused. Had we gone straight into the kidnap? Actually, no, Russell Crowe’s character Terry Thorne was recounting his previous rescue mission of Pierre Lenoir ...

pixiedon 02.09.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

...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 for is still alive. ...
...tension, and on the whole Proof Of Life does this very well. It's not quite up to the standard of The Negotiator (which to my mind still sets the standard for modern thrillers), but it's not a million miles away. If you like thrillers then this comes recommended, with a caution on the language and violence. CREW Director - Taylor Hackford (Ray) Music - Danny Elfman (Spiderman 2, (Chicago) RATING 15 (UK), R (USA) RUNTIME 135 minutes (doesn't seem ...

CaptainDisaster 12.06.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

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 ...
...Look Documentary: The Making of Proof of Life A good making of, giving the cast and directors insights into the story and also showing the harsh conditions in which they had to film in. * Trailer Does exactly what it says on the tin, and doesn't give too much away. * Audio Commentary A commentary by director Taylor Hackford, for those of us who like this sort of thing. A very well done commentary. * Scene Access The obligatory chapter menu. ...

robbroome 06.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

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 Bowman ...
...for Bowman with the support of Alice but they soon find themselves attracted to each other. Cue love against difficult and un-knowing times? Well no actually because I'm sure this was the intended plot but it never is fully realized. This was meant to be a film where these two people are attracted to each other even though they know it's wrong. However only once do we see any real spark between them and you can't base a 130 minute movie on that one ...

utero 13.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

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, ...
...was unfair for Hackford to simply blame the flop on the actors for their performances. I have not seen Gladiator, Crowe’s previous film, but I know he was up for all sorts of awards for it, and he gives a strong performance here to, playing Terry Thorne, a specialist negotiator in Kidnap and Ransom. The film focuses on his latest case involving Peter Bowman, played by David Morse, who is kidnapped at the roadside by guerrillas wearing balaclava’s, ...

danradders 14.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

...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 ...
...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. ...

utero 14.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

...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 by a rebel group ...
...people would go to see Proof of Life. There is action for those that like it. There is suspense. There is a love story - this is especially impressive because we get to see Terry gradually falling for Meg Ryan's character, who herself is beginning to warm to him more than her unloving husband. Terry knows that if he rescues Peter he will pass away any opportunity to be with Ryan, and yet... well, I'm going to have to let you guess or see the film ...

PjR 10.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

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 ...
...it comes down to the family and Alice to provide the money, except they do not have the requisite amount, being able to accrue a mere $650 000. This is a long and rambling film that fails on almost every level. Considering that Ryan and Crowe were having a sizzling and passionate romance, it is incredible that none of this is transferred to screen. Their chemistry is simply none existent, and although the film moves throughout at a horribly boorish ...

Alex1226 03.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

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 and ...
...who must first ascertain whether Terry is alive or not. The emotional turmoil of such an experience is almost too much for Alice, and the kindness and intensity shown by Thorne leads her to feel very strongly for him, and he in turn finds the feeling mutual. The Cast and Performances Meg Ryan is outstanding as Alice. The acting involved in such an emtional character is performed with great skill and attention, and she is very convincing as Alice. ...

pmcds 29.03.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

...husband is kidnapped, find a new one who has 3 million dollars rather than spending $ 3 million on the old one. I was hoping to learn a new meaning of proof of life but for me it is still the good old heartbeat and an ECG strip. ...

salman 02.03.2001 (14.03.2001) · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

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 poor ...
...- in fact, I think it is largely realistic, in both the situations it developes and the way it evolves. Even the action finalie, although it does appear tacked-on, is handled with some sublty. Where it falls down badly, aided and abetted by some suprisingly bad acting (especially disappointing in the case of Crowe, who's been doing so well recently), is in the interaction of the principal characters. Crowe plays an K'n'R (Kidnap and Ransom) expert, ...

digitalburn 09.03.2001 (12.03.2001) · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

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 ...
...oil company has no insurance, and Terry goes back to England as his company are no longer willing to help. Terry feels bad for leaving Alice and returns to South America of his own accord to help her out. Meanwhile, he falls in love with her. This film was altogether a bit slow and a bit long, although it got better towards the end, and when there was action it was brilliant, really exciting, and very tense. Performances were pretty good, Russell ...

alicemitchell 11.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)

...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 ...
...reaches its long awaited climax. Proof of Life does have its tense moments but there aren’t nearly enough to sustain the excitement over the film’s tow hours-plus running time. The fact we are kept informed of Peter’s welfare means there are little suspense and even the little suspense and even the finale not as exciting as it could have been. After a dramatic opening sequence the film fails to crank up enough tension so what could ...

Beretta 05.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Proof Of Life (DVD)