Movie Review: Proof of Life

Story: There are some movies that miss the mark. And this was one of them. All of the necessary elements were available for success: good actors, intriguing story and a beautiful location. Unfortunately at film's end I was left with a so what? kind of feeling. The story is based on a Vanity Fair article about men who specialize in rescuing business executives that have been kidnapped for ransom payments. Director Taylor Hackford (An Officer and a Gentleman,' Delores Claiborne, The Devil's Advocate) definitely had his hands full when his two stars fell for one another in real life and the tabloids focused more on them than on the film. Poor Taylor, poor Dennis Quaid! Anyway, back to the story -- essentially Marxist revolutionaries have turned into Capitalist kidnapper/terrorists losing their political philosophy along the way and have become as evil as the always bad oil company. They are despoiling the land and the people. Enter our hero (sigh) who attempts to save the kidnap victim, his wife and his own honor. There are other stories (too many), other characters (too many) and stereotypes (too many).

Acting: Russell Crowe could rescue me anytime he wants. He is a terrific actor and literally obliterates anyone else who appears on screen with him. I do believe I have found my new, younger Nick Nolte...sorry Nick! Meg Ryan has spunk. In all of her movies she is spunky, perky, snippy, teary and weepy and she has now developed a swagger. She plays that role here again without ever mussing her hair or makeup. David Morse is quite fine as the kidnap victim alternately afraid and enraged. David Caruso (just what was he thinking when he left NYPD Blue)? was having some fun in his role as rescuer.

Pets: No time for pets. Just some pigs and mules.

Food: No one ate anything except the kidnap victims. Sort of a gruel type thing. Although there were lots of scenes shot in a kitchen there was no food consumed.

Visual Art: Some bad paintings.

Soundtrack: Heavy handed. But I did like the Van Morrison tune at the end while the credits were rolling.

Titles: Unimpressive

Theater Audience: A mixed group, mostly male. I think I spotted some would-be mercenaries in camouflage outfits in the corner.

Oscar Worthy: NO.

Nit Picking: I hate to do this but......Meg Ryan's makeup was so obviously reapplied all of the time that her lipstick shade actually changed in the middle of the same scene. Makeup should not be noticeable.

Big Screen or Rental: Rental or better yet, just wait until it is on network TV in two years and you can see it for free.

Length: 16 minutes over the 2 hour LOBO rule.

LOBO HOWLS: 5