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Movie Info

Simple security guard Sam (John Travolta) has lost his job at a museum, and in a fit of desperation, he returns and demands his boss, Mrs. Banks (Blythe Danner), rehire him. But he comes armed, and his plan goes awry when he accidentally shoots an ex-coworker and ends up with schoolchildren as hostages. Meanwhile, down-and-out TV reporter Brackett (Dustin Hoffman) is on scene to capture everything, thinking this suddenly huge story is his ticket back to the top of the news game.
  • Rating:
    PG-13
  • Genre:
    drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Costa Gavras
  • Producer:
    Arnold Kopelson, Anne Kopelson
  • Writer:
    Tom Matthews
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $10.6M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Punch Productions
  • Sound Mix:
    SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

John Travolta
Sam Baily
Dustin Hoffman
Max Brackett
Mia Kirshner
Laurie
Alan Alda
Kevin Hollander
Robert Prosky
Lou Potts
Blythe Danner
Mrs. Banks
William Atherton
Dohlen
Ted Levine
Lemke
Costa Gavras
Director
Tom Matthews
Writer
Stephen Brown
Executive Producer
Wolfgang Glattes
Executive Producer
Jonathan D. Krane
Executive Producer
Arnold Kopelson
Producer
Anne Kopelson
Producer
Gary G-Wiz
Original Music
Thomas Newman
Original Music
Philippe Sarde
Original Music
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Critic Reviews for Mad City

All Critics (28) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (18)

View All Critic Reviews (28)

Audience Reviews for Mad City

  • Apr 20, 2009
    I quite liked this movie, dustin hoffman was brill and so was john travoltas acting. John travlta is a security guard who gets sacked but he wants it back so it turns into a hostage situation with dustin playing the reporter and in the heeart of it all. I think this is a brilliantly acted surperb film with a heart wrenching ending and something to relate to as well its has some humour and you feel sorry for travoltas character ! well worth a watch !!
    Film C Super Reviewer
  • Jan 25, 2009
    A thought-provoking thriller that takes embedded journalism to a new level when a TV reporter (Hoffman) finds himself trapped in an accidental hostage situation. John Travolta plays to perfection the role of a simple, irate museum security guard who just wants his job back. Costa-Gavras takes his scathing satire of media influence a bit too far, but as this was intended to be a mainstream movie he had to make the satire obvious. An interesting plot and enjoyable to watch even if it was a bit slow at times.
    Ross C Super Reviewer
  • Dec 21, 2008
    This movie is a tough call for the two lesding men! Maybe a little less acting, and more entertaining.
    Joseph E Super Reviewer
  • Aug 06, 2008
    Unexpected ending, but the movie was boring overall. I don't know if it was that the actors were wrong for this movie or if it was just a bad movie.
    Erin C Super Reviewer
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