Proof of Life

2000

Proof of Life (2000)

TOMATOMETER

40%
28%

Critic Consensus: Despite its promising premise and superstar cast, Proof of Life is just a routine thriller that doesn't offer anything new.

AUDIENCE SCORE

43%

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Movie Info

A woman whose marriage is in trouble finds herself falling for a new man as her husband's life hangs in the balance in this thriller. Peter Bowman (David Morse) and his wife Alice (Meg Ryan) have relocated to a small Latin American nation called Tecala; Peter works for an American engineering and construction firm, and his latest assignment has him building a dam that is intended to bring power to the developing nation. The ELT is a radical Marxist faction gearing up for political revolution in Tecala that has turned to kidnapping as a way to raise capital, and Peter is chosen as its next target. When Peter is ambushed on his way to work, his firm brings in Terry Thorn (Russell Crowe), a former Australian intelligence operative who now works as a private "kidnapping and ransom" negotiator. Alice is told Terry is her best hope for bringing Peter back safe and sound, but when Terry's employers run into a tight squeeze financially, they cancel their K&R insurance (which is considered a standard benefit for American employees assigned to South America), leaving Alice to rehire Terry on her own, especially since she can't possibly pay the $3 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers. As Terry and his partner Dino (David Caruso) map out a rescue plan, Alice and Terry find themselves increasingly attracted to each other. Alice's marriage to Peter was going through a rough patch when he was kidnapped, and while she's deeply concerned for his safety, she must reconcile her fears for Peter's life with her new feelings for Terry. Proof of Life is based on Adventures in the Ransom Trade, an article by journalist William Prochnau that was published in Vanity Fair, as well as on the case of real-life kidnapping victim Tom Hargrove. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Cast

Meg Ryan
as Alice
Russell Crowe
as Terry
David Morse
as Peter
David Caruso
as Dino
Pamela Reed
as Janice
Michael Kitchen
as Ian
Anthony Heald
as Ted
Stanley Anderson
as Jerry
Gottfried John
as Kessler
Alun Armstrong
as Wyatt
Margo Martindale
as Ivy
Mario Ernesto Sánchez
as Fernandez
Pietro Sibille
as Juaco
Vicky Hernandez
as Maria
Vicky Hernandez
as Maria
Norma Martinez
as Norma
Diego Trujillo
as Eliodoro
Aristoteles Picho
as Sandro
Sarahi Echeverria
as Cinta
Carlos Blanchard
as Carlos
Raúl Rodríguez Peila
as Tomas
Mauro Cueva
as Rico
Alejandro Cordova
as Rambo
Sandro Bellido
as Mono
Miguel Iza
as ELT Officer
Roberto Frisone
as Calitri
Tony Vasquez
as Fred/Marco
Claudia Dammert
as Ginger
Rowena King
as Pamela
Michael Byrne
as Luthan
Jaime Zevallos
as Nino
Gilberto Torres
as Raymo
Flora Martinez
as Linda
Laura Escobar
as Cara
Marcos Bustos
as Alex
Jorge Medina
as Berto
Gerard Naprous
as Pierre Lenoir
Alexander Balueyev
as Russian Colonel
Dimitri Shevchenko
as Russian Sergeant
Zbigniew Zamachowski
as Terry's Driver
Said K. Saralijen
as Chechen Leader
Oscar Carrillo
as Trial Honcho
Pedro Martinez Laya
as Trial Honcho
Wolframio Benavides
as Trial Honcho
Alonso Alegria
as Master of Ceremonies
Merlin Hanbury-Tenison
as Terry's Son
Stefan Gryff
as Bank Official
Yolanda Vazquez
as Notary
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Critic Reviews for Proof of Life

All Critics (116) | Top Critics (32)

Neither Crowe, Ryan nor the topical subject keeps Proof of Life from feeling recycled. For all the up-to-the-minute research, the movie still gives off the musty scent of Hollywood contrivance.

Mar 31, 2008 | Full Review…
Newsweek
Top Critic

I was interested all through the movie--interested, but not riveted.

Dec 8, 2000 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic

For all its nail-biting fusillades, it fails to score a shot to the heart.

Dec 8, 2000
Salon.com
Top Critic

Proof of Life refers to a negotiator's demand for proof a hostage is still alive...you may start wondering the same thing about the movie.

Dec 8, 2000
New York Post
Top Critic

Proof of Life is intelligent, but culturally biased and less than altogether compelling.

Dec 8, 2000
Boston Globe
Top Critic

Well directed, superbly acted, full of conflicting emotions and has subtle psychological shifts in loyalties.

Dec 8, 2000
CNN.com
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (116)

Audience Reviews for Proof of Life

½

It is what it is. You really cant blame this movie on Russell Crowe or Meg Ryan, but the atrocious screen writer and the studio that allowed this to be made.

Nelson Pickens
Nelson Pickens

Super Reviewer

½

Well, first of all, "Proof of Life" is somewhat of a insignificant movie. Of course the subject of the film is important but there are too many negative aspects. Script-wise the movie is very weak. There's no suspense, no emotion. If there was, then the actors didn't do their job. The characters are mainly quite unappealing. "Proof of Life" is still worth seeing but will not last a second viewing. It's starts slowly but in the end it delivers some enjoyable moments.

Jani H
Jani H

Super Reviewer

½

A tense, stunning and pulse-pounding thriller that explodes with action, excitment, romance and suspense. A truly thrilling, gripping, nail-biting and breathtaking adventure. Heart-wrenching and adreniline-pumping. Powerhouse performances. Russell Crowe is magnificent. David Morse is outstanding. David Caruso is excellent.

Al S
Al S

Super Reviewer

Proof of Life stars the very good Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe. Meg Ryans husband gets kidnapped while being in a foreign country. In order to save him and negotiater (Crowe) assists with the difficult situation. During this time they spend a lot of time with one another and start to develope feelings.

Mason Williams
Mason Williams

Super Reviewer

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