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Mad City Reviews

1997

60
from 883 members

In one of his strongest performances, John Travolta plays Sam Baily, a museum security guard who holds visitors hostage in an attempt to win back his job when he falls foul of museum cutbacks. Dustin Hoffman co-stars as Max Brackett, a local news reporter who seizes the hostage situation as a chance to revive his flagging .. Read more

Starring	Blythe Danner, Robert Prosky, Ted Levine, Randall Batinkoff
Director	Costa Gavras
Genres	Action/Adventure, Thriller

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Critic's review of Mad City
View all critics' reviews (4)
- Deft satire on the live television media circus that accompanies modern-day crime and terrorism; in part, it was suggested by the Waco siege in 1993, and is also an updating of Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole (qv).
- 31572
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Mad City
View all members' reviews (7)
- - 4
  - 1
  Important points to make, but ...
  
  I thought the story had potential and the actors performances were OK, up to a point. The way the media circus tramples over everything just to get some ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 120555
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - JG Weston
  - Chelmsford, Essex
  - 04 Jul 2005 at 17:38
Most recent members' reviews of Mad City
View all members' reviews (7)
- - 0
  - 0
  not one of Tavolta's or Hoffman's best
  
  this film was ok, but definitely wasn't one of travolta's best.
  
  Hoffman also lacked in this film too, and he normally is a brilliant good ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1122783
- - cheesekake
  - 760 reviews
  - uk
  - 31 May 2012 at 18:59
- - 0
  - 0
  Well, I enjoyed it.
  
  Seems I am presently in the minority of thinking this was quite a good film, about how the media manipulate, distort and destory in a very short time - but we ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 799473
- - a customer
  - Surrey
  - 18 Aug 2009 at 10:15
- - 0
  - 0
  Dissapointing
  
  The film had 2 big stars but it wasnt good at all.
  
  Report this review
- 384155
- - a customer
  - worcs
  - 13 Nov 2006 at 09:39
- - 1
  - 0
  Predictable
  
  Even the magnificent Dustin Hoffman couldn't rescue this formulaic bilge. Why he took the gig, Gawd only knows? Travolta also tries his best, but, alas, you... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 162869
- - John White
  - Ramsgate, Kent
  - 18 Oct 2005 at 18:57
- - 4
  - 1
  Important points to make, but ...
  
  I thought the story had potential and the actors performances were OK, up to a point. The way the media circus tramples over everything just to get some ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 120555
- - JG Weston
  - Chelmsford, Essex
  - 04 Jul 2005 at 17:38
- - 2
  - 0
  Intriguing failure
  
  Mad City sets itself a mad, well nigh insurmountable challenge by inviting direct comparison with three of the greatest American films ever made: Billy Wilder&#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 331350
- - bedouingoose
  - Northumberland
  - 17 Apr 2005 at 22:53
- - 4
  - 2
  waste of talent
  
  This film didn't exactly set the world on fire at the box office and after recently viewing it is easy to see why. The plot is predictable and moves in a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 73634
- - a customer
  - England
  - 18 Feb 2005 at 10:54
View all members' reviews (7)

- - 4
  - 1
  Important points to make, but ...
  
  I thought the story had potential and the actors performances were OK, up to a point. The way the media circus tramples over everything just to get some ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 120555
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - JG Weston
  - Chelmsford, Essex
  - 04 Jul 2005 at 17:38
- - 4
  - 2
  waste of talent
  
  This film didn't exactly set the world on fire at the box office and after recently viewing it is easy to see why. The plot is predictable and moves in a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 73634
- - a customer
  - England
  - 18 Feb 2005 at 10:54
- - 2
  - 0
  Intriguing failure
  
  Mad City sets itself a mad, well nigh insurmountable challenge by inviting direct comparison with three of the greatest American films ever made: Billy Wilder&#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 331350
- - bedouingoose
  - Northumberland
  - 17 Apr 2005 at 22:53
- - 1
  - 0
  Predictable
  
  Even the magnificent Dustin Hoffman couldn't rescue this formulaic bilge. Why he took the gig, Gawd only knows? Travolta also tries his best, but, alas, you... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 162869
- - John White
  - Ramsgate, Kent
  - 18 Oct 2005 at 18:57
- - 0
  - 0
  Dissapointing
  
  The film had 2 big stars but it wasnt good at all.
  
  Report this review
- 384155
- - a customer
  - worcs
  - 13 Nov 2006 at 09:39
- - 0
  - 0
  Well, I enjoyed it.
  
  Seems I am presently in the minority of thinking this was quite a good film, about how the media manipulate, distort and destory in a very short time - but we ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 799473
- - a customer
  - Surrey
  - 18 Aug 2009 at 10:15
- - 0
  - 0
  not one of Tavolta's or Hoffman's best
  
  this film was ok, but definitely wasn't one of travolta's best.
  
  Hoffman also lacked in this film too, and he normally is a brilliant good ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1122783
- - cheesekake
  - 760 reviews
  - uk
  - 31 May 2012 at 18:59

< Prev
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Next >

Critics' reviews
- Deft satire on the live television media circus that accompanies modern-day crime and terrorism; in part, it was suggested by the Waco siege in 1993, and is also an updating of Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole (qv).
- 31572
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
- "...Mr. Costa-Gavras, a galvanizing filmmaker working with a splendid cast, is able to tell this story in style....There's a cool, crafty performance from Dustin Hoffman..."
- 10197
- - New York Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- Talented, ambitious but down on his luck, TV news reporter Max Brackett (Hoffman) resents working for the station in... read more on Time Out
- 44822
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:15
- "...[MAD CITY] delights in effective reversals....Darkly humourous..."
- 10198
- - Sight and Sound
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Mad City
  
  In one of his strongest performances, John Travolta plays Sam Baily, a museum security guard who holds visitors hostage in an attempt to win back his job when he falls foul of museum cutbacks. Dustin Hoffman co-stars as Max Brackett, a local news reporter who seizes the hostage situation as a ...