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THE NEGOTIATOR

"Shake Hands with the Devil"

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What You Need To Know:

In THE NEGOTIATOR, Samuel L. Jackson plays hostage negotiator Danny Roman, the best negotiator in the Chicago Police Department. Roman gets in trouble, though, when he is framed for embezzling police pension funds and murdering his partner who was secretly investigating the pension fraud. In desperation, Roman takes some police officials hostage to prove his innocence by smoking out the true culprits. Kevin Spacey plays another hostage negotiator who eventually helps Roman do just that.

THE NEGOTIATOR is a tense, well-written and well-acted police thriller that breaks new ground in terms of its engaging portrayal of human drama and conflict. Regrettably, it also breaks some new ground in its use of foul language and moral relativism. Although the two main heroes played by Jackson and Spacey act morally much of the time, they each take at least two morally questionable actions. For instance, Roman takes hostages to prove his innocence and threatens people so that his fellow officers will really think he has gone over the edge. Such an action sends the pagan message that "the ends justifies the means." THE NEGOTIATOR also includes an excessive amount of foul language, even for an R-rated movie. Both these problems stain an otherwise uplifting, intelligent thriller.

Content:

(B, Pa, LLL, VV, A, D, M) Mixed worldview with pagan & moral elements; 124 obscenities, mostly the "F" word, & 10 strong profanities; moderate action violence including man holds girl hostage, man murders policeman in car, policeman takes cops & two civilians hostage, three bad cops start shooting spree to murder other bad cop before he talks, police storm building using gas bombs that shatter many windows, & good cop shoots other good cop to get confession from bad cop; no sex; no nudity; alcohol use & police hold party at bar; smoking; and, miscellaneous immorality such as kidnapping, pension fraud & ends used to justify means.

More Detail:

THE NEGOTIATOR is a tense police thriller that breaks new ground in terms of its engaging portrayal of human drama and conflict. Regrettably, it also breaks some new ground in its use of foul language and moral relativism.

Samuel L. Jackson plays hostage negotiator Danny Roman, the best negotiator in the Chicago Police Department. Roman gets in trouble, though, when he is framed for embezzling police pension funds and murdering his partner who was secretly investigating the pension fraud. In desperation, Roman takes the head of Internal Affairs and his female assistant hostage, along with an informant and his precinct boss, who happens to walk in on the scene.

Roman suspects that the head of IA, played by the late J.T. Walsh, has something to hide. Declaring his innocence, Roman says he will only talk to hostage negotiator Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey). He picks Sabian because Sabian works in another precinct and has a reputation for never using force in a hostage situation.

Arriving on the scene in the nick of time, Sabian squares off in an entertaining battle of wits against Roman. Sabian says he doesn’t care whether Roman is innocent or guilty, he only cares about the lives of the hostages, but, when some of the real culprits in the pension fraud begin to interfere with the hostage situation, causing violence, Sabian helps Roman find out the truth.

For a summer police thriller, THE NEGOTIATOR has a unique, interesting plot with well-written dialogue. Its story has some nice twists with explicit references to two classic American westerns, RIO BRAVO and SHANE. Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey have plenty of opportunities to show why they are two of the top American actors working today. The movie is at its best when their characters are on screen together or are talking to one another over the police hostage phone lines. Their performances are enhanced by a fine supporting cast, especially Paul Giamatti as a wise-cracking police informant.

This movie has a mixed worldview, however, that hurts its moral credibility. Although the two main heroes, Roman and Sabian, act morally much of the time, they each take at least two morally questionable actions. For instance, Roman takes hostages to prove his innocence and threatens people so that his fellow officers will really think he has gone over the edge and is capable of anything. Such an action sends the pagan message that “the ends justifies the means,” as do a couple borderline actions Sabian takes. THE NEGOTIATOR also includes an excessive amount of foul language, even for an R-rated movie. Both these problems stain an otherwise uplifting, intelligent thriller.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.