ActionCrimeDramaThriller

The Negotiator

- He frees hostages for a living. Now he's taking hostages to survive.

The police try to arrest expert hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who insists he's being framed for his partner's murder in what he believes is an elaborate conspiracy. Thinking there's evidence in the Internal Affairs offices that might clear him, he takes everyone in the office hostage and demands that another well-known negotiator be brought in to handle the situation and secretly investigate the conspiracy.

Release Date : 1998-07-29

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Regency EnterprisesWarner Bros. PicturesMandeville FilmsMonarchy Enterprises B.V.Taurus Film

Production Country : CanadaGermanyUnited States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Lt. Danny Roman

Original Name : Samuel L. Jackson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lt. Chris Sabian

Original Name : Kevin Spacey

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cdr. Adam Beck

Original Name : David Morse

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cdr. Grant Frost

Original Name : Ron Rifkin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Chief Al Travis

Original Name : John Spencer

Gender : Male

Character Name : Insp. Terence Niebaum

Original Name : J. T. Walsh

Gender : Male

Character Name : Maggie

Original Name : Siobhan Fallon Hogan

Gender : Female

Character Name : Rudy

Original Name : Paul Giamatti

Gender : Male

Character Name : Karen Roman

Original Name : Regina Taylor

Gender : Female

Character Name : Markus

Original Name : Bruce Beatty

Gender : Male

Character Name : Palermo

Original Name : Michael Cudlitz

Gender : Male

Character Name : Eagle

Original Name : Carlos Gómez

Gender : Male

Character Name : Argento

Original Name : Tim Kelleher

Gender : Male

Character Name : Scott

Original Name : Dean Norris

Gender : Male

Character Name : Hellman

Original Name : Nestor Serrano

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tonray

Original Name : Doug Spinuzza

Gender : Male

Character Name : Allen

Original Name : Leonard L. Thomas

Gender : Male

Character Name : Farley

Original Name : Stephen Lee

Gender : Male

Character Name : Omar's Daughter

Original Name : Lily Gibson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Chief's Wife

Original Name : Lauri Johnson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Bartender

Original Name : Sabi Dorr

Gender : Male

Character Name : Morewitz

Original Name : Gene Wolande

Gender : Male

Character Name : Linda Roenick

Original Name : Rhonda Dotson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Linda's Attorney

Original Name : John Lordan

Gender : Male

Character Name : D.A. Young

Original Name : Jack Shearer

Gender : Male

Character Name : Secretary

Original Name : Donna Ponterotto

Gender : Female

Character Name : Taylor

Original Name : Michael Shamus Wiles

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bell

Original Name : Mik Scriba

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tech #1

Original Name : Joey Perillo

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lisa Sabian

Original Name : Mary Page Keller

Gender : Female

Character Name : Stacy Sabian

Original Name : Kelsey Mulrooney

Gender : Female

Character Name : FBI Agent Grey

Original Name : Brad Blaisdell

Gender : Male

Character Name : FBI Agent Moran

Original Name : Bruce Wright

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cale Wangro

Original Name : Robert David Hall

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sniper

Original Name : Bernard Hocke

Gender : Male

Character Name : Agent

Original Name : Tony Mockus Jr.

Gender : Male

Character Name : Reporter

Original Name : Rick Scarry

Gender : Male

Character Name : Reporter

Original Name : McNally Sagal

Gender : Female

Character Name : Reporter

Original Name : Mary Major

Gender : Female

Character Name : Reporter

Original Name : Edwina Moore

Gender : Female

Character Name : Camera Man (uncredited)

Original Name : James Blackburn

Gender : Male

Character Name : Omar (uncredited)

Original Name : Tom Bower

Gender : Male

Character Name : FBI SWAT Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : David Michael Fordham

Gender : Male

Character Name : Nathan Roenick (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Guilfoyle

Gender : Male

Character Name : Fire Department Lieutenant (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Rooney

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cop (uncredited)

Original Name : Rick Touhy

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cop (uncredited)

Original Name : Spitfire Brown

Gender : Male

Character Name : FBI Agent (uncredited)

Original Name : Maureen Mendoza

Gender : Female

Character Name : HBT Officer (uncredited)

Original Name : S. Lamar Wilson

Gender : Male

Character Name : News Anchor

Original Name : Diann Burns

Gender : Female

Character Name : News Anchor

Original Name : Mary Ann Childers

Gender : Female

Character Name : Reporter

Original Name : Robert Jordan

Gender : Male

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-07-08

Samuel L. Jackson is renowned hostage negotiator "Roman" who is shocked to learn of the murder of his partner. A little further investigation reveals that he had been looking into a multi-million dollar pension fraud. Next thing he knows, "Roman" is being charged with his friend's killing and decides to turn the tables. He goes to the office of the Internal Affairs department, seizes some hostages, barricades himself into the locked office and summons another negotiator "Sabian" (Kevin Spacey) to the scene. What now unfolds is a cleverly crafted detective mystery as the two must overcome their initial professional suspicions of the other, and gradually try to piece together what actually did happen to his pal and to ascertain just who did steal all the cash! It's a good, solid, story this and it's well told with Jackson and Spacey delivering a tale of corruption and mistrust that illustrates just how tough it is to fight back when the very people there to enforce the law are those abusing it. The supporting cast are a bit lacklustre - maybe a bit like an episode of "Hill Street Blues" but it flows well with a tricky denouement that though predictable enough, is quite well executed. It's maybe a bit on the long side, it does take a while to get up an head of steam - but once we get going, it is at the better end of the genre.

RalphRahal

@RalphRahal

2025-02-08

The Negotiator is one of those classic thrillers that still holds up well today. The plot is engaging from the start, throwing you into a tense, high-stakes standoff where trust and deception play a big role. The pacing is solid, though it stretches a bit in parts, but the setup and execution make up for it. F. Gary Gray's direction keeps the tension tight, balancing action and drama without overcomplicating things. The cinematography isn't flashy, but it works well in capturing the claustrophobic feel of the hostage situation, making you feel right there with the characters. What really makes this movie stand out is the acting. Samuel L. Jackson delivers an intense, gripping performance that makes it easy to connect with his character and root for him. Kevin Spacey plays off him perfectly, creating a dynamic where their back-and-forth feels natural and engaging. The supporting cast is strong too, though some characters feel a bit underdeveloped. The script does a good job keeping the dialogue sharp and the tension high, but at times, it leans into familiar tropes that might feel predictable. The score and sound design do their job well, enhancing the mood without being too overpowering. While the soundtrack isn't particularly memorable, the way sound is used to heighten key moments is effective. Overall, The Negotiator is a well-crafted thriller with strong performances and a gripping story. It might not be flawless, but it delivers where it counts, making it an easy movie to rewatch and appreciate.