Reviews: Proof of Life

[JoBlo]

JoBlo's 7/10 review of PROOF OF LIFE can be found here: http://www.joblo.com/proofoflife.htm
Your past movie reviews from May 1998 - November 2001 can be found there as well.

And what did you think of the movie? Add your comments below.

GUIDELINES: CONSTRUCTIVE REVIEWS ONLY!

1) If you haven't seen the movie, don't post here, because it will be deleted.
2) If you add two-bit comments like "it rocked" or "it sucked the big one" or just a grade, it will be deleted.
3) If you insult anyone from the board in your post, it will be deleted and you will receive a warning from the board. A second warning and you will be banned altogether. You can disagree with others all you want but no putdowns are necessary to make your points.

In order for others to know whether or not you would recommend the movie, please click on the desired icon of your choice when posting:

Recommended = http://www.joblo.com/ubb/icons/icon7.gif
Not recommended = http://www.joblo.com/ubb/icons/icon8.gif
In the middle = http://www.joblo.com/ubb/icons/icon9.gif

[laila]

*** BEWARE OF SPOILERS ***

Just rented the film over the weekend.

LOL @ CJ's comment (that Meg should have addressed the "I gave you nothing...you deserve better!" line to the audience)

I don't think she was that bad (and I don't think she was too weepy), but her acting wasn't in the same league as Crowe's (although, to be fair, Terry's role is better written). I cringed when Alice gave Terry a pained look after seeing the proof of life photo of Peter. But Terry's little introduction speech to Alice and Janice by the pool was nauseating. David Morse is great as the hostage and I can't fault him on his acting (I especially liked the way he responds to one of the kidnappers when he is accused of spying. It's not what he says ("Yo no miro") but the way he says it.
There was a little homoerotic thing going on between Terry and Dino, as well as the rivalry and respect, which was interesting. But I think Ryan and Crowe also have chemistry in the film, and I don't think they should have cut out the love scene (especially as we saw Terry in her swimming pool, which I think shows something happened.)

I liked the action scenes at the end (Crowe rolling down the hill while protecting his rife was well done). It was touching when Peter Bowman hears the door open and thinks it's one of the kidnapper's come to take his plate of food away before he's finished).

Peter and Alice Bowman together didn't impress me (altough their reunion was poignant). It was predictable that she'd choose her husband, but I say she should have gone for Terry (though it probably wouldn't have lasted long).

http://www.joblo.com/ubb/redface.gif)

[This message has been edited by JoBlo (edited 04-03-2002).]

[Professor Falk]

I agree almost down the line. This film owes a bit to Casablanca in it's "love triangle", but this is a good example of an homage, rather than a ripoff. Crowe is, as usual, great. He's got a Spencer Tracy quality to his acting. You realize suddenly, about 72 minutes into a film, that he's quietly kicking ass. David Morse is also great. I loved this guy in the mid 80's, and I've really enjoyed seeing him claw his way onto the character actor A-List. (He and Tom Hanks conveyed great friendship in The Green Mile, all the little subtle things that pass between long time friends.) Pamela Reed is one of those people who make everything they are in a little better. She's no different here. I love the rescue sequence. A lot of Directors can't shoot combat correctly. They choose to emphasize the chaos. Here, we see everything unfold, from every angle. It all flows smoothly and logically. It's well shot and very well edited. David Caruso is just great, with his hyperactive sidekick bit: ("Who's the MAN? WHO'S THE MAN?!" "Stuff of legends!!".) He's a great actor, and always has been, even when he's working w/ subpar material. He shows what he's capable of here. And then, there's Russell. This guy is, quite simply, just too fucking cool. He's on that short list, along w/ Denzel, Morgan Freeman and Laurence Fishburne who I'll watch anytime, anywhere. A solid 7/10 film, just like the man said. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/wink.gif




[This message has been edited by Professor Falk (edited 04-09-2002).]