Hostage
2005
This well-made thriller harkens back to the gritty crime films of the 1970s. Bruce Willis plays Jeff Talley, a traumatized ex-LAPD hostage negotiator whose new career as small town sheriff doesn't turn out to be as restful as he had hoped; a hostage situation breaks out on 'low crime Tuesday' and he is thrown right back into .. Read more
| Starring | Bruce Willis, Kevin Pollak, Jonathan Tucker, Ben Foster |
|---|---|
| Director | Florent Emilio Siri |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Hostage
This well-made thriller harkens back to the gritty crime films of the 1970s. Bruce Willis plays Jeff Talley, a traumatized ex-LAPD hostage negotiator whose new career as small town sheriff doesn't turn out to be as restful as he had hoped; a hostage situation breaks out on 'low crime Tuesday' and he is thrown right back into the business he knows all too well. Some punk kids have shot a cop and are holed up in a local mansion inhabited by crooked accountant Walter Smith (Kevin Pollack), his two kids, and a lot of surveillance cameras. Walter's young son (Jimmy Bennett) escapes his bonds and reports to Talley from the air shafts via his sister's cell phone. The sister--a Goth teen played by Michelle Horn--draws the romantic attention of Mars (Ben Foster), the pot-addled sociopath in the gang, thus adding a unique twist to the damsel-in-distress factor. Meanwhile, amid the buzzing helicopters and mobilizing SWAT teams, another group of bad guys has kidnapped Talley's wife and daughter, in order to force him to retrieve a secret disc in Walter's study. Florent Siri's efficient direction keeps the action flowing in unexpected directions while allowing for plenty of interesting procedural details and sly bits of humour. The score is ominous and the performances are strong, with Foster memorably creepy and Willis excellent as the frightened hero.
| Starring | Bruce Willis, Kevin Pollak, Jonathan Tucker, Ben Foster, Serena Scott Thomas, Rumer Willis, Christina Cabot, Kim Coates, Marjean Holden |
|---|---|
| Director | Florent Emilio Siri |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 53 mins Blu-ray: 1 hr 49 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Cops & Robbers |
| Genres | Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English Blu-ray: English |
| Released | DVD: 04 Jul 2005 Blu-ray: 02 Nov 2009 Production year: 2005 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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There's much to admire about this Bruce Willis outing, but precious little to really like about it. A slickly made if preposterously plotted thriller, it has Willis in dour mode as Jeff Talley, an LAPD hostage negotiator who quits his job to become a small-town police chief after an assignment ends in tragedy. Talley's past catches up with him, however, when three teenagers break into the hi-tech home of businessman Walter Smith (Kevin Pollak), taking Smith and his kids hostage. Smith's Mob connections result in Talley's estranged wife and daughter also being caught up in the drama. All this is watchable enough, but without the trademark twinkle and smug self-confidence that Willis brought to the Die Hard series, it becomes just another routine action thriller with delusions of grandeur. By and large, this is a film that misuses its star by taking him, and itself, far too seriously.
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Its almost nostalgic to see Bruce Willis approach Die Hard territory as a former LAPD negotiator faced with... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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68 out of 73 people found this review helpful
Hostage, Of Course!!!!
Bruce Willis plays an ex hostage negotiator who blames himself for the death of a mother and son during one of his negotiations.
As usual, as in any other film of his, his character as the present Poilce Sherrif is very well portrayed.
A hostage starts to unfold in a rich family's massive top of the range house, and on top of this Willis' wife and daughter are taken hostage by different people. Quite a few twists that you don't see coming. A thorough marvellous film that will keep you at the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
A definate one to watch for all. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
What a house!
I was loathe to rent this, as Im not a fan of Bruce Willis, and the genre of his usual film.
But I was pleasantly surprised as to how the film opened out around the backdrop of a fantastic house.
The story starts as Bruce is a chilled out hostage negotiator back in the day, and it all goes wrong. Fast forward and he is now the chief of a small police station and wanting an easier life, with a house move, a wife and stroppy daughter in tow.
Then we come to see the house of the rich Dad, son and daughter and how the break-in by some teenagers looking for fun subsequently turns into something bigger than they anticipated.
The father of the house has a data DVD that some bigshots want, but access is delayed because the house is then taken hostage by the overexcited punks, one of which does a very good job at looking like a psycho.
Bruce really doesnt want to get involved, but inevitably he does.
Support roles were good, and the hostage takers become more desperate as the film progresses. Its a little tense, but I had no empathy or interest in the characters. The son was enterprising, and likeable, so I rooted for him to escape.
Bruce does his thing as a hero, then pushes for an implausible treatment to be performed in the ambulance to try and save the day, and his skin. (sorry but I cant stand it when they do pretend medical stuff in films).
Wont spoil the plot, as there are a few surprises to keep you waiting for the outcome. It isnt completely obvious what will happen, and its quite stylish in the delivery of the details. Sounds vague but cant go into specifics without spoiling it.
For me it was a gripping film because of the house itself, it added depth and increased the tension. Also added interest to what could otherwise have been an average and samey film. -
News and features
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Rumer wants to star alongside Willis and Moore
- 28 Aug 2009
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter Rumer Willis wants to star in a movie with her famous parents - now she has grown up and gained some acting experience. The 21 year old has embarked on her own Hollywood career appearing in a string of movies, including upcoming horror remake Sorority Row, and filming a role in teen TV show 90210. She appeared alongside her actress mum in 1996 film Striptease, and with her dad in The Whole Nine Yards in 2000 and in 2005's Hostage. But Willis now wants to... Read more
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