Rating: 
Summary: kill 'em all
Review: sure .. lets kill dozens of poor peasants to rescue a rich American. What an offensive movie - and what's with all the smoking in this movie? is it sponsored by Marlboro or is it to show off the buffed arms of Meg Ryan - woo woo Meg - dont visually assault us with your physique next time - we'll take your word for it that your working out since you and your husband broke up.
Rating: 
Summary: For Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan Fans
Review: I am a fan of both Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan, for different reasons. The love relationship between Crowe and Ryan could have been developed better. The movie fails to show the conflict a woman would feel in this situation, but you can hardly blame Meg Ryan when Russell Crowe comes out in a muscle shirt and she is literally watching him with her mouth open. Perhaps a woman couldn't fall for another man in this situation, but you can see how she would have desire for him. You know, it's funny how men are never challenged when they are conflicted in this way. It's like it is expected-it's their nature, but women have to always be loyal and brave. Anyway, it's an enjoyable movie on a certain level, and Russell Crowe never looked sexier (except perhaps in Hammers Over the Anvil -but that's another story).
Rating:
Summary: Russell rules!
Review: THE STORY: Russell Crowe is Terry Thorn, a Kidnap and Ransom agent who is more or less singed to recue Peter Bowman, taken hostage by Southamerican guerillas. Peter's wive Aloce Bowman (Meg Ryan) is beginning to develop something more than sympathy for Terry, while her husband is being tortured in the mountains.THE CAST: Russell Crowe saved this movie as far as it was possible. His presence on the screen is charismatic and energetic. You simply believe that he is capable of all the heroic stuff. David Morse is one of my favourite supporting actors. But his character is too flat to give him any chance to create depth and credibility. Meg Ryan's attempt to act in a dramatic role is failing. Her lines are delivered with more hysteria than necessary. But the worst acting is presented by Pamela Reed who plays Peter's sister who's alway crying and yet she is making you laugh. DIRECTION: The movie begins promising with beautiful cinematography and a slow but interesting build up to the story. From there it goes downhill. The movie stays slow and never really begins before it ends. The action sequence in the end is not spectacular at all and director Hackford seems obsessed with landscapes, which as the story moves on is unnecessary slowing it down. THE DVD: The Making Of documentary is interesting because Russell Crowe has got a cool haircut but it is way too short to give any real insights. The commentary by Taylor Hackford would be more interesting if the movie would be.. And then there's the theatrical trailer which promotes this hostage drama as a romantic action-adventure which it (sadly) isn't. ALL IN ALL: Storytelling too slow, some of the actors too weak, love story irrelevant but Crowe still the man..
Rating: 
Summary: Proof of boredom
Review: I don't know what people see in Russel Crowe. "Gladiator" might have made him popular, but he won't become another Bruce Willis or Harrison Ford... to my opinion. This "Proof of Live" has proved how boring Crowe can be, portraying a boring character in one of the most boring movie ever. I had to walk out in the middle of it, realizing the story is going to drag until the end. Meg Ryan is one of my favorite stars, but I think it's a waste for her to be in this movie, which died out of the box office in no time. I'm also disapointed that she'd find this guy attractive.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting hostage thriller
Review: I don't normally like actionmovies, but I saw the trailer and I thought I'd give it a chance. And boy am I glad I did. If it hadn't been for Meg Ryan, this would have been one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. Peter Bowman is an engineer working in exotic places. He and Alice his wife are now in Tecala where he is building a dam, at least that is what he is hoping. The project is hitting some snags and he has to go to the office one day to try and save his project. He is forced to take a detour and finds himself along with several other people trapped in a roadblock and kidnapped. Alice, with whom Peter had a terrible fight the night before, is distressed, and her sister in law doesn't help much. Then Terry Thorne (Russel Crowe looking great) comes to the rescue, he is a very experienced K and R man. But there is a little problem. The kidnapinsurancepolicy has been cancelled by Peters bosses. So Terry is called back. But obviously he's taken interest in mrs Bowman so, without much explaining, he returns to do this case pro-bono. In the meanwhile Peter Bowman is send on an inhumane trip through the Andes suffering all kinds of abuses, nearly starving him to death. All what keeps him going is the thought of returning home to his beloved wife Alice. But will Terry and Alice succeed in bringing him back? Great performances are put forward by Russel Crowe, but David Morse should have been nominated for an Oscar. I mean he is not nearly as good-looking as Russel is, but you still want him to return safely to Alice. Great acting. Good story, with another actress playing Alice this would have been one hell of a movie
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Ecuador
Review: I rented this DVD because of the director Taylor Hackford (The Devil's Advocate-amazing movie !!!)and wasn't disappointed. The ending was little bit of a standard action movie "happy-go-lucky with a bang" but the rest was well made, engaging and thought provoking. To my surprise, Meg Ryan gave a terrific performance but Russell Crow was stiff and colorless (as always). The disk has a nice "Making of" documentary also. The scenery was beautiful, now I have this enormous urge to visit Ecuador, absolutely stunning place, Quito is a city out of this world.
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad movie at all!!
Review: I don't undersand why this movie was mutilated so badly by the critics...it's not a bad movie! I'm not saying that it is perfect. In fact I'm not even saying its great, but it is still more intelligent and interesting than most of the stuff that's out there nowadays. I'm going to try to explain the levels at which this movie works well and the levels at which it fails. First off, it fails as a love story. It tries to develop the forbidden love relationship between Crowe and Ryan but falls flat in that regard. Their feelings for one another are never truly portrayed in depth enough to make an effective love story. And personally I find it ridiculous that they could have Meg Ryan's character so distressed and preoccupied with saving her beloved husband who is in dire jeopardy while at the same time falling for Russell Crowe. Can you imagine having the state of mind and desire to cheat on your spouse when he/she is being held hostage by terrorists and you are the only person who can do anything to get him/her back safely? Its possible I guess, but it seems unlikely. But this is the only major criticism I have of this movie. Now, let me tell you why its good! First of all, it gives a very interesting and accurate portrayal of the turbulent nature of certain areas in the world today. It gives the viewer a very up close taste of third world terrorism and violence. What "Traffic" did to portray the North American narcotics trade, "Proof of Life" does for Kidnap & Ransom terrorism. This is one of those films I think people should see if for nothing else, then as an informative portrayal of some of the uglier aspects of our world as it is today. It even takes a bit of time to explain that much of the increased corruption and instability is a result of the Cold War ending. I found these aspects of the film very interesting. David Morse's desperate situation as the terrorists' hostage is portrayed very well. Although this film isn't intended as a pure action movie at all, it culminates in a high risk covert rescue mission led in by Russell Crowe once it becomes obvious that all other options to save Morse's life are gone. And this was definitely my favorite part of the movie! From a military perspective, the planning, insertion and tactical execution of a covert operation is one of the best, most accurate portrayals I've seen in a modern film. If you find this kind of thing interesting, you will really appreciate the attention to detail in "Proof of Life". When it gets down to it, this film isn't going to please everybody. If you want to see a dramatic love story, this isn't going to do it for you. If you want to see a Hollywood rock n'roll action flick, this isn't going to do it for you. But if the subject matter interests you, or if you are a fan of Tom Clancy type real world fiction, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Boring story... Outstanding production
Review: Let's see... the characters were unintersting, the plot was pretty predictable, and the action, although good, was sparse and too infrequent. And I realize that this was based on a true story so only so much cinematic and dramatic license could be taken. Nonetheless the movie seemed drawn out and pretty boring. On the plus side the production was outstanding. The sets were perfect, the authenticity was discernable, and the direction was first rate. Unfortunately none of these is enough to put a shine on this turkey. American couple in South America have recently lost a baby. The wife is bored and disatisfied. The husband works too much. A huge multinational corporation is protecting its' own interests. The locals are typically greedy, ruthless, and corrupt. (Oh what a surprise that the Americans are saints and the non-Americans are evil) And an expert hostage negotiator has a soft heart for the wife. Husband is kidnapped and the negotiation begins.
Rating:
Summary: Really good, surprisingly good. Very well-acted & plotted.
Review: We enjoyed this movie very much. It was a well-written story. Good plot, good characters. I have to say Crowe was very good, and David F. was also as the husband. Character-wise, they actually outshone Meg Ryan and that's hard to do. She lights up the screen and gives a solid performance.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best, but not bad.
Review: The movie drags at the begining, but does pick up and grabs your attention half way through and holds it till the end. I would still suggest this movie to any Russell Crowe..Meg Ryan fans. Its not the best, but not bad.
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