Proof of Life

R

Released Dec 8, 2000

2 hr. 15 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

39%

118 Reviews

Tomatometer

43%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this romantic drama, Peter Bowman, an American engineer in a Latin American country is captured by anti-government forces. When the rebels learn his identity they demand $6 million for his safe return. However, his US employer is on the verge of insolvency and will not provide the ransom. Peter's wife Alice is forced to deal with the matter on her own. She retains the services of freelance professional hostage negotiator Terry Thorne.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Steve D

Nothing new and not exciting.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/24/23

Full Review

Marc I

This picture is under-valued. I watch a lot of movies. I am 75 and saw this once shortly after its release. Not many pictures can be remembered in almost in their entirety 20 years later. When I hear about 3rd world country kidnappings, or any kidnappings this picture, POL, always becomes the model for how these things should be handled. It may be all the bad things critics say about it, but I say see it. There are many pictures critics will tell you are great, but I bet you want remember them 20 years later.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/05/23

Full Review

Farah R

Proof of Life had all the ingredients that make a successful thriller, but somehow it didn't mix well and resulted in a mediocre, forgettable film. Crowe and Ryan don't offer their usual level of acting, which amplifies their lack of chemistry. Nothing is engaging or entertaining about this movie.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/23/23

Full Review

Jack O

I cannot describe how predictable this is but for some part, I enjoyed it but I don't love it. I think Proof of Life is something that is to indicate proof that some kidnap victims are still alive that Russell Crowe's character discovers in the film. Peter Bowman played by David Morse has been hired to build a new dam for the oil company, Quad Carbon. Meanwhile he's been kidnapped by the guerrilla's of the Liberation Army of Tecala (ELT). So then it's up to Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe to pay them $50,000 for their ransom. I really don't consider it to be an action thriller. It's more like a thriller about ransom to save Alice's husband from the guerrilla's. I have nothing to say more about this. All I gotta say is that I like the end battle where Terry and his men saves Peter from the guerrilla's. It's complicated to go through reviews that I find hard to do so I guess I'll leave it here.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/23

Full Review

Ivana D A

The cast is good, but the direction is terrible and it is noticeable in several of the scenes that end up being overacted. A pity because there is chemistry between both protagonists. The story is basic. The best thing about the movie is Russell Crowe's performance.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

isla s

I found this a decent thriller film. For whatever reason, I found it easier to follow than other similar ones recently. I did feel there were one or two cliches present (the all but helpless wife looking for someone to help rescue her husband etc.) but I liked the characterisation and the plot intrigued me. There were some decent action scenes and the whole theme about the apparently international kidnap and ransom industry, as it were, interested me. There are one or two scenes which I imagine especially squeamish people may not want to watch, involving injuries (I wont go into details), with an element of blood involved but it certainly wasn't continuously full of bloody violence - there was enough to remind the viewer what was at stake. I thought this was a reasonably well made film of its time (released in 2000 I believe) and so I'd recommend it on that basis. Also the title refers to the negotiator trying to force the people demanding the ransom to provide said proof, to reassure those they ransom, that the hostage is still alive. I believe this is a genuine term and obviously (and sadly) there is such a grubby industry still active as K&R, i.e. kidnap and ransom. Indeed companies with a presence in some unstable parts of the world have kidnap and ransom policies, so in any case it is somewhat based on truth and that made it more interesting too.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Taylor Hackford

Director

Meg Ryan

Alice

Russell Crowe

Terry Thorne

David Morse

Peter Bowman

Pamela Reed

Janis Goodman

David Caruso

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Good story, but too violent for kids.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 27, 2010

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

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

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 22, 2002

Full Review

Tony Macklin

Las Vegas CityLife

The unconvincing Proof of Life is a missed opportunity.

Rated: 2.0/5

Feb 2, 2009

Full Review

Jim Lane

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Whatever sparks ignited off the set fail to register on film, in essence ruining Taylor Hackford's drama.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 14, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this romantic drama, Peter Bowman, an American engineer in a Latin American country is captured by anti-government forces. When the rebels learn his identity they demand $6 million for his safe return. However, his US employer is on the verge of insolvency and will not provide the ransom. Peter's wife Alice is forced to deal with the matter on her own. She retains the services of freelance professional hostage negotiator Terry Thorne.

Director: Taylor Hackford
Executive Producer: Tony Gilroy, Steven Reuther
Screenwriter: Tony Gilroy
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment, Anvil Films, Bel Air Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Drug Related Material|Language|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.6M
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SR, DTS, Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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