1997
PG-13
Warner Bros.
1 h 54 m

1997
PG-13
Warner Bros.
1 h 54 m

Summary A network television journalist is banished to a backwater station for bad behavior on the job. He meets a security guard who got laid off and the two form a bond of mutual need which changes the course of their lives forever. (Warner Bros.)

Directed By: Costa-Gavras

Written By: Tom Matthews, Eric Williams

1997
PG-13
Warner Bros.
1 h 54 m

1997
PG-13
Warner Bros.
1 h 54 m

Mad City

Name: Mad City
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 1997-11-07
Duration: 1 min 54 s
Rating: 45
Cast: John Travolta, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Alda, Mia Kirshner, Robert Prosky

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 23 Critic Reviews

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 40 User Ratings

6.6

My Score

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Where to Watch

Directed By: Costa-Gavras

Written By: Tom Matthews, Eric Williams

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Mixed or Average Based on 23 Critic Reviews

22% Positive
5 Reviews

61% Mixed
14 Reviews

17% Negative
4 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Mixed or Average Based on 23 Critic Reviews

22% Positive
5 Reviews

61% Mixed
14 Reviews

17% Negative
4 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

The New York Times

But Mr. Costa-Gavras, a galvanizing filmmaker working with a splendid cast, is able to tell this story in style.

By Janet Maslin FULL REVIEW

New York Daily News

Unfortunately, Mad City merely pumps up the volume on material that has already been picked clean. [07Nov1997 Pg 74]

By Jami Bernard FULL REVIEW

Salon

It has, at times, a loopy, edgy humor and moments of genuinely affecting pathos. But somehow the combination doesn't add up to anything.

By Andrew O'Hehir FULL REVIEW

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

And veteran director Costa-Gavras, whose early work ("Z", "State Of Siege", "Missing") proves that he's no stranger to sociopolitical complexities, might well have been the man to make it. But not from this script -- it starts off as puerile and then regresses.

By Rick Groen FULL REVIEW

TV Guide Magazine

Clearly, there's the germ of a good -- potentially even great -- movie here, but it's thoroughly smothered by a pair of lazy, self-congratulatory star turns by Hoffman and Travolta.

By Maitland McDonagh FULL REVIEW

Washington Post

It's a movie of great dynamism and energy, but very little discipline. It probes issues but it never really thinks about them. It seems smart, but it's dumb.

By Stephen Hunter FULL REVIEW

Washington Post

Mad City is for those who haven't seen enough movies about hostage situations. It's also for those who haven't seen enough ponderous movies about media exploitation, or Dustin Hoffman's ongoing reliance on muttery method acting.

By Desson Thomson FULL REVIEW

See All 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 40 User Ratings

6.6

63% Positive
25 Ratings

15% Mixed
6 Ratings

23% Negative
9 Ratings

User Reviews

View All

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 40 User Ratings

6.6

63% Positive
25 Ratings

15% Mixed
6 Ratings

23% Negative
9 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Warner Bros., Arnold Kopelson Productions, Punch Productions

Release Date Nov 7, 1997

Duration 1 h 54 m

Rating PG-13

Genres

Tagline This November, the biggest hostage negotiation is about to begin

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Awards

The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards

• 1 Nomination

Mad City

Where to Watch

Where to Watch

Top Cast

John Travolta

Sam

Dustin Hoffman

Brackett

Alan Alda

Kevin Hollander

Mia Kirshner

Laurie

Robert Prosky

Lou Potts

Blythe Danner

Mrs. Banks

William Atherton

Dohlen

Ted Levine

Lemke

Tammy Lauren

Miss Rose

William O'Leary

CTN Junior Executive

Raymond J. Barry

Dobbins

Lucinda Jenney

Jenny

Akosua Busia

Diane

Ebbe Roe Smith

Bartholomew

Bingwa

Nat Jackson

Chris Byrne

KXBD Cameraman

Bobby Brewer

The Kids

Max Becker

The Kids

Philip David Robinson

The Kids

Milton Davis Jr.

The Kids

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

Details

Awards

Awards

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