The Negotiator (1998)

THE NEGOTIATOR is one long-assed movie, made bearable by the better 
efforts of a high-caliber cast.  Two hours and twenty minutes of 
stare-downs between Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse 
(CONTACT), Ron Rifkin (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL), John Spencer (THE ROCK), 
and the late J.T. Walsh, peppered by the occasional outbursts of 
"f*ck you's," a couple of "go! go! go!" gunfights, and the increa-
singly familiar-faced Paul Giamaitti (PRIVATE PARTS) as comic re-
lief.  (He plays one of four people taken hostage in a high-rise by 
Jackson's character-- a veteran Chicago police negotiator who seeks 
to clear his name in a corruption case.)  More acting than action-- 
think DIE HARD as a chamber drama-- the film is overlong by about a 
half-hour.  (Come on, did we *really* need that funeral sequence?)  
And even during its best moments-- the middle ninety is good 'n' 
gripping-- the plot never really makes sense.  Eh, I reckon that's 
why they released it in the summer.  Directed by F. Gary Gray (SET 
IT OFF).  (Rated "R"/140 min.)

Grade: B-

Copyright 1998 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: Elastic Waistband