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The Negotiator (1998) 7.3
Ratings:
7.3/10 from 101,693 users
Metascore: 62/100
Reviews: 280 user | 66 critic | 23 from Metacritic.com In a desperate attempt to prove his innocence, a skilled police negotiator accused of corruption and murder takes hostages in a government office to gain the time he needs to find the truth. Director:F. Gary Gray |
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Title: The Negotiator (1998)
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2 wins & 6 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Samuel L. Jackson | ... |
Danny Roman
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| Kevin Spacey | ... | ||
| David Morse | ... |
Adam Beck
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| Ron Rifkin | ... |
Grant Frost
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| John Spencer | ... |
Chief Al Travis
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| J.T. Walsh | ... |
Terence Niebaum
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| Siobhan Fallon Hogan | ... |
Maggie
(as Siobhan Fallon)
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| Paul Giamatti | ... |
Rudy
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| Regina Taylor | ... | ||
| Bruce Beatty | ... |
Markus
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| Michael Cudlitz | ... |
Palermo
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| Carlos Gómez | ... |
Eagle
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Tim Kelleher | ... |
Argento
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| Dean Norris | ... |
Scott
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| Nestor Serrano | ... |
Hellman
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
In the midst of an elaborate conspiracy, an expert negotiator is driven to the edge when he's framed for the murder of his partner, as well as embezzling money from his department's pension fund. His only chance to prove his innocence is to take hostages himself, acquire the services of another expert negotiator, and find out who's running the conspiracy before it's too late. Written by Ted Walters
Taglines:
He frees hostages for a living. Now he's taking hostages to survive. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
29 July 1998 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El mediador See more »Box Office
Budget:
$50,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$10,218,831 (USA) (31 July 1998)Gross:
£1,484,716 (UK) (1 January 1999)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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[...]
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(1995)
Performed by Rednex
Written by Janne Ericsson, Erkan Oban (as Øban), Pat Reiniz
Courtesy of Zomba Recording Corp.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Paul Guilfoyle (Nate) and Robert David Hall (Cale) went on to become regulars of the television show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000). Stephen Lee (Farley) was a guest star in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Boom (2001). See more »Goofs
The sharpshooter puts a laser dot on Roman's head and the officers in the helicopter light Roman up with about eight lasers while he's standing in the window. Police sharpshooters don't use laser sights (i.e. red dot on target). They're good enough to not need them and don't want to tip off the suspect that he's in their sights. Any cops who do have laser sights (which is unlikely, but conceivable) don't put them on the target and keep them there. The sights are for rapidly getting the gun on target - not replacing proper sight picture. See more »Quotes
Lieutenant Danny Roman: [while trying to talk down a Hostage Taker through a closed door] Yeah, I like animals better than people sometimes... Especially dogs. Dogs are the best. Every time you come home, they act like they haven't seen you in a year. And the good thing about dogs... is they got different dogs for different people. Like pit bulls. The dog of dogs. Pit bull can be the right man's best friend... or the wrong man's worst enemy. You going to give me a dog for a pet, give me a pit bull. Give me... Raoul. ...[...]
See more »
Soundtracks
Cotton-Eye Joe(1995)
Performed by Rednex
Written by Janne Ericsson, Erkan Oban (as Øban), Pat Reiniz
Courtesy of Zomba Recording Corp.
See more »
In terms of plot and story development, The Negotiator offers little that is new. It's a very conventional film. However, it gets a much needed injection from its cast, especially the two leads Jackson and Spacey, whose verbal exchanges are exciting and dynamic.
The far-fetched yarn introduces us to Chicago hostage negotiator Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson). Roman's partner Nate (Paul Guilfoyle) is brutally murdered just as he is about to expose a bunch of cops who have been stealing from the Disability Fund. All the clues at the scene of Nate's murder point to Roman being the guilty one. Danny is arrested for the killing, but he remains determined to prove his innocence. He violently besieges the Internal Affairs division of the Chicago P.D, taking several hostages at gunpoint, and proceeds to demand that his name be cleared. Hostage negotiator Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey) arrives on the scene to talk Roman into surrendering his hostages.
The ease with which Jackson's character is framed for a crime he didn't commit is hard to believe, and his subsequent decision to take hostages in order to clear himself stretches credibility to the limit. The solution to the mystery - with the revelation of the real killer coming right at the end - isn't especially believable either. However, improbabilities aside, The Negotiator is an entertaining work. As mentioned, Jackson and Spacey's confrontations are quite dynamic and help to make the film compulsively watchable. Siege thrillers by their very definition are exciting, and this one is no exception. Granted, The Negotiator is totally conventional fare, but within its limitations it remains a well-crafted, absorbing and agreeable offering.