Proof of Life

Name: Proof of Life
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Romance
Released: December 8, 2000
Duration: 135 min
Rating: 45
Cast: David Morse, Meg Ryan, Russell Crowe

2000

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

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Proof Of Life

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 8, 2000 | R

Starring: David Morse, Meg Ryan, Russell Crowe

Summary: Peter Bowman (Morse), an American engineer in a Latin American country, is kidnapped for a $3 million dollar ransom. Abandoned by her husband's employer and insurance company, his wife Alice (Ryan) refuses to give up on his life. She takes on the task of bringing him home but quickly realizes she can't do that without help. An expert in "KPeter Bowman (Morse), an American engineer in a Latin American country, is kidnapped for a $3 million dollar ransom. Abandoned by her husband's employer and insurance company, his wife Alice (Ryan) refuses to give up on his life. She takes on the task of bringing him home but quickly realizes she can't do that without help. An expert in "K & R" (Kidnap & Ransom), Terry Thorne (Crowe) is Alice's best and only hope for saving Peter. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Director: Taylor Hackford

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 135 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Marc Caro

The movie delivers on its own terms. It may emerge a bit bruised and tattered around the edges, but its ever-beating heart provides the ultimate Proof of Life.

Carrie Rickey

Whatever romantic tension the film has is communicated in the coiled-spring performance by Crowe, one of the most remarkable actors working. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Disappointingly routine kidnapping thriller with soap-opera trimmings. Read full review

Stephen Holden

What ultimately sinks this stylish but heartless film is a flat lead performance by the eternally snippy Meg Ryan. Read full review

David Edelstein

Crowe gets to use his real Aussie voice, which works better with that poker face, and his underplaying at times has a psychotic intensity. But Ryan looks dopey when she's supposed to be stressed-out. Read full review

Film.com Gemma Files

This is half a good movie held hostage to the other, trashier half, and unfortunately for all of us, no rescue seems forthcoming. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Proof of Life isn't a movie. It's an overpriced scrapbook. Read full review

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User Reviews

Trev29

Aug 23, 2013

It is one of those been there seen that type of movies, but it was exciting and naturally acted.There was some beautiful landscapes. It isn't memorable, however it is a good see.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

timone

Nov 30, 2021

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 hasI 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 26, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cherimich

Dec 20, 2010

Guilty pleasure movie. Russell Crowe makes it worth watching, this is Meg Ryan on the cusp of weird cosmetic procedures, before she became cringe-worthy.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

diogomendes

Aug 8, 2015

Entertaining throughout but the overall premise was badly executed and the payoff was lacking in narrative terms. I would recommend it merely for some good performances, but there's nothing new for the thriller genre that this movie has to offer.

5/10.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Broyax

Jan 21, 2017

Très prévisible, trop prévisible, un film qui traîne la patte les trois quarts du temps, ce qui commence à faire beaucoup sur deux heures et quart. On a pourtant un trio d'acteurs agréables... engoncés chacun dans leur rôle très cliché (Morse le mari courageux, Ryan la femme éplorée maisTrès prévisible, trop prévisible, un film qui traîne la patte les trois quarts du temps, ce qui commence à faire beaucoup sur deux heures et quart. On a pourtant un trio d'acteurs agréables... engoncés chacun dans leur rôle très cliché (Morse le mari courageux, Ryan la femme éplorée mais combative et Crowe le héros des uns et des autres mais très "humain"). Beaucoup de parlotes, un bon paquet de guimauve et une réalisation perfectible dans les rares scènes d'action font qu'on arrête d'y croire très vite malgré toute la bonne volonté du monde. Direction les oubliettes... ou pour un échange en magasin.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

marquito

Jan 14, 2012

This movie sucks in every single way, despite the racist message that want to show Colombia as a dangerous country, the plot sucks. Its a waste of time and if u intend to buy, please don't do it!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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