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www.boxoffice.com - : Dustin Hoffman plays a figure familiar from any recent film that involves the television media: a limelight-sucking journalist who exploits the news rather than communicates it--an anti-Carl Bernstein. The resonance that Hoffman brings from that earlier portrayal of a reporter who brought down a president (''All the President's Men'') in the quest for the full story, to that of Max Brackett, a journalist who brings down a hapless hostage-holder, Sam Baily (John Travolta), in a quest for a ratings coup, is ''Mad City's'' primary contribution to a subject ripe for puncturing. Costa-Gavras (''Z,'' ''Missing''), the director known for sharp-edged political indictments, would seem the right man for the job. ''Mad City,'' however, wavers between all-out satire and more middle-toned drama, each element undercutting the power of the other. Satire: The hostage children thrill to being tabloid TV stars. Drama: Childlike Sam connects with them by telling stories. Result: No real tension about the kids' fate. more...
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Critic Reviews
