The special nature of this story is its many climaxes that border on false endings and also how Gibson's character responds to the ransom demand of $2 million.... it is Gibson who sells us on it and sells it well.
Overview
When a rich man's son is kidnapped, he cooperates with the police at first but then tries a unique tactic against the criminals.
Director and cast
- Ron Howard Director
- Mel Gibson as Tom Mullen
- Gary Sinise as Det. Jimmy Shaker
- Rene Russo as Katherine Mullen
- Delroy Lindo as Agent Lonnie Hawkins
- Lili Taylor as Maris
- Brawley Nolte as Sean Mullen
- Liev Schreiber as Clark Barnes
- Donnie Wahlberg as Cubby Barnes
- Evan Handler as Miles Roberts
- Nancy Ticotin Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
There are more climaxes in here than in a Swedish blue movie. This is not to say you won't be thrilled, charged up and put through the ringer at times, but your intelligence will need to be shoved under your seat like warm, flat soda.
That's interesting stuff, but it doesn't play out with a lot of smarts. And the opportunity to end Ransom on a creepy note of unpredictability is forsaken for the usual glass-shattering, bullets-flying finale.
With a mechanical movie like this, filmmakers -- male or female -- can't take chances. Howard and company are hostages to their own conception.
Mel Gibson and Rene Russo put an edgy 1990s spin on the roles originally played by Glenn Ford and Donna Reed.
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