The Negotiator

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The Negotiator

R

Released Jul 29, 1998

2h 18m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

74%

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58 Reviews

79%

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100,000+ Ratings

Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) is considered the best police hostage negotiator in Chicago. After a friend warns him that someone is embezzling from a disability fund, the person is found dead. Internal affairs investigator Niebaum (J.T. Walsh) discovers the gun used had been handled by Roman. When no one believes his innocence, Roman takes Niebaum hostage. When Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey) arrives to hear Roman's demands, the two skilled negotiators begin a tense stand-off.

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Critics Consensus

The Negotiator's battle of wits doesn't wholly justify its excessive length, but confident direction by F. Gary Gray and formidable performances makes this a situation audiences won't mind being hostage to.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Teaming for the first time Kevin Spacey and Samuel Jackson, arguably the two best actors of their generation, in perfectly fitting roles is a shrewd move and the best element of this fact-inspired but overwrought thriller

Rated: B-

Sep 11, 2006

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Time Out

A hybrid action-drama featuring the choreographed pyrotechnics of director Gray and a battle of words between contrasting hostage negotiators Jackson and Spacey.

Jan 26, 2006

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Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Apr 25, 2003

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

When, in a weary moment, Danny says “you can’t beat the system,” Samuel L. Jackson underlines the underpinnings that still distinguish "The Negotiator" and that there could have been no more perfect project for Jackson’s leap into leading-man status.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 13, 2023

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

A big, dumb, lumbering cop thriller that works through a very familiar, very basic formula, very, very slowly indeed.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 28, 2020

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Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

It's not perfect, but it's enjoyable enough to be one of those movies I might stop channel surfing to watch on late-night television.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 27, 2011

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Kevin P

Edge of the seat from the first moment to the last. No one is pretending this is what a real negotiator would do, but hey, it's a movie! Class direction, lighting, cast, screenplay and acting. You won't guess who the 'bad guy' is until it is revealed to you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

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Sebastian L

The Negotiator is a pretty solid piece of action entertainment. It looks good and marches on nicely through the scenes. It's just that the entire premise is deflated by making the wrong guy the protagonist. It's very hard to sympathize with Jackson's character playing with other people's lives and the resources of an entire city just because he's doing the right thing.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

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Sams K

One of the most underrated movie ever. Just great!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/24/24

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Scorpion

What a movie!!! The acting and the plot, I was never bored watching it. In fact, this movie made me sign up for rotten tomatoes, just to give it five stars! Amazing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/04/24

Full Review

K W

Loved this. A lot of fun and on the edge of my seat moments.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/24

Full Review

Gigsy V

A good film, but not a classic by any means. Kevin Spacey is great. Such a scene-stealer. And you can rarely go wrong with Sam L Jack. Was pleasantly surprised at how convincing he pulled off grief at a scene involving a funeral. The film does get a bit claustrophobic, same-y and a bit boring at times (it’s far too long). It also doesn’t quite come over re: its surprise reveals/twists. The stakes never feel that real either which I think is to the film’s detriment.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/26/24

Full Review

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F. Gary Gray

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Lt. Danny Roman

Kevin Spacey

Lt. Chris Sabian

David Morse

Cmdr. Adam Beck

Ron Rifkin

Cmdr. Grant Frost

John Spencer

Chief Al Travis

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Synopsis

Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) is considered the best police hostage negotiator in Chicago. After a friend warns him that someone is embezzling from a disability fund, the person is found dead. Internal affairs investigator Niebaum (J.T. Walsh) discovers the gun used had been handled by Roman. When no one believes his innocence, Roman takes Niebaum hostage. When Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey) arrives to hear Roman's demands, the two skilled negotiators begin a tense stand-off.

Director: F. Gary Gray
Producer: Arnon Milchan, David Hoberman
Screenwriter: James DeMonaco, Kevin Fox
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Regency Enterprises, New Regency Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.7M
Runtime: 2h 18m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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