Mad City

Dir: Costa-Gavras

1997

**

Mad City has an intelligent idea but is a little over-ambitious in what it tries to achieve. It describes itself as a satire, and while it does make an interesting and valid point about the media manipulation, it's no where near ironic enough, isn't exaggerated and nor is it funny in any way. Dustin Hoffman's Max Brackett, an opportunistic reporter who longs for anchor stardom, is actually a rather contradictory character, his epiphany being unconvincing and poorly written. John Travolta's Sam Baily, a recently sacked security guard, is an unfortunate example of a down on his luck every-man who is easily manipulated and somewhat led astray by his temper and the media. He is far too simplistic and Travolta limits his portrayal of a man pushed over the edge by occasionally raising his voice and moving his eyebrows up and down. It is fair to say that Mad City isn't the successor to 1976's Network. Mad City was thought up as the name of the film as it is the nickname for Madison, Wisconsin, the location the movie was due to be shot in, giving it a neat double meaning. Location for the shoot changed but the title remained, telling you all you need to know about the lack of final thought the film has. The acting is pretty sub-standard and the story is predictable and contrived. On one hand we're asked to challenge the manipulative and dangerous ideals the press feed us and on the other asked to eat up a typically formulaic and rather floored imitation of a much better film (Ace in the Hole 1951). A great idea, badly executed.