Movie classic: The Negotiator

Film: The Negotiator Running time: 141 minutesGenre: Mystery/suspense/action/adventureDirected by: F. Gary GrayWritten by: James DeMonaco, Kevin Fox, James De MonacoReviewed by: Martin BishopAvailable at: Clarido Video Library, Kanogo

Friday, November 02, 2012

Film: The Negotiator Running time: 141 minutesGenre: Mystery/suspense/action/adventureDirected by: F. Gary GrayWritten by: James DeMonaco, Kevin Fox, James De MonacoReviewed by: Martin BishopAvailable at: Clarido Video Library, KanogoBased on a real case experienced by police in St. Louis, the movie is about an accused man who is forced to commit crimes in order to prove himself innocent of murder. After Chicago police hostage negotiator Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) succeeds in rescuing a little girl menaced by her gun-wielding dad, he’s praised by both the police department and the media, and he returns to his usual cop routines with his longtime partner, promising his new wife Karen (Regina Taylor) he’ll make it home for dinner every night. Then his partner, who had evidence of embezzlement within the police department, is killed. Since Danny arrives at the crime scene only seconds later, he’s the main suspect, and Chief Al Travis (John Spencer) asks him to turn in his gun and badge.