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Proof of Life

Starring: Russell Crowe, Meg Ryan
Director: Taylor Hackford
Genre: Drama
Year: 2000
Rating: 3 / 5

Critics and fans alike are supposed to chuckle during various moments of Proof of Life, mainly at the expense of the film's two stars, Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan. After all, this is the film that allegedly brought these two individuals together, at the same time ending Ryan's long-standing marriage to actor Dennis Quaid. Various moments in the film even allude to real-life goings-on, particularly when the characters not-so-subtly refer to what the future may hold. Is there screen chemistry between the two? Not as much as one might think, though it is not as absent as some critics have speculated. What is absent is a compelling reason to sit through the film's lengthy build-up, and that, more than anything else, relegates director Taylor Hackford's film to the ranks of the mere ordinary.

Peter Bowman (David Morse) is a globe-trotting engineer, the public interest wing of a large oil conglomerate. He and his wife Alice (Meg Ryan) have been all over the world, from Southeast Asia to Africa to South America, where Peter is currently working on constructing a dam for a mythical war-torn country. During a corporate social outing, Peter learns that his company is in dire financial straits, meaning that his own funding might soon be cut. This leads to yet another blow-up with Alice, who is still smarting from a miscarriage she had eight months prior. The tension hangs over the couple as Peter heads into the office one Saturday morning, unaware that he is about to become entangled in an international kidnapping struggle.

With Peter Bowman missing, kidnapping and ransom (K & R) specialist terry Thorne (Russell Crowe, Gladiator) is called in to assist. His organization has the kidnapping insurance contract for Peter's company, and he contacts Alice to begin the search. Alas, in the middle of Peter's company's financial distress, insurance premiums were allowed to lapse, forcing Thorne to be removed from the case. Unable to let Alice face this without the best at her side, Thorne is determined to help her, with only old friend Dino (David Caruso) to assist him. Thorne begins negotiating with the kidnappers, motivated only by his desire to bring Peter Bowman home.

Director Taylor Hackford (An Officer and a Gentleman) constructs a very compelling story, but it loses its way a half hour into the film. After an excellent introduction to Russell Crowe's character, we find ourselves mired in marital strife, corporate takeovers, and other extraneous items. Hackford brings us back in time to witness a thrilling conclusion, but not before allowing fans a moment to check their watches. Russell Crowe excels as the understated hero, a flawed man with the character to do what is right. Meg Ryan is practically window dressing, present merely to ratchet up the star power and qualify this film as a "date movie." The pleasant surprise, however, is David Caruso, whose "guy's guy" Dino steals nearly every scene. Proof of Life is worth a look for Crowe alone, offering further evidence of his rising star in Hollywood.

Cast:

Certification: Rated R for violence and language.
Running Time: 130 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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