It’s paramount that everyone watches ‘Hostage.’
This was no by-the-numbers templated affair; it was meant to set the mood and unsettle the audience.
The story setup isnt complex, but the emotions are.
Miramax
After a failed robbery, three teenagers take an accountant and his family hostage.
Its up to esteemed hostage negotiator Jeff Talley (Bruce Willis) to diffuse the situation.
He gets pulled back in, though, when his own family gets captured.
Miramax
The additional story layer adds a more personal touch, since every move Talley makes has extra consequences.
Like John McClane years before, its clear that Willis develops a clear attachment to this character.
He isnt phoning it in by any means.
Hostage
He loves the story and Talley, which makes all the difference to the role.
Screenwriter Doug Richardson confirmed as much too.
And not just that, his mere presence usually inspired every performer to up his game.
One actor who rises to the occasion is Ben Foster, who plays one of the hostage-takers Mars Krupcheck.
He turns into a sinister antagonist who wants maximum carnage and cant be reasoned with.
Hes the wild card, since Talleys job would have been much easier had he not been present.
Yet, he embodies the adage that you cant negotiate with terrorists.
Hostageis the movie that announced Fosters potential to the world.
Theres no disputing that ability is there, but his representation in Hollywood is lacking.
Especially since he went forHostageto the trash heap known asX-Men: The Last Standin a year.
Undoubtedly, Miramax Films mustnt have been happy with those numbers.
The film wasnt a critical darling either, only securing 35% on Rotten TomatoesTomatometer.
Yet, if theres something we have learned from 2000s movies, its that theyre only appreciated years later.
