The Negotiator

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

Release Date 1998-07-29
Runtime 140 minutes
Genres Action,   Crime,   Drama,   Thriller,  
Status Released
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Overview

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.

Budget $50,000,000
Revenue $44,547,681
Vote Average 7.103/10
Vote Count 2198
Popularity 3.5898
Original Language en

Backdrop

Available Languages

English US
Title:
"He frees hostages for a living. Now he's taking hostages to survive."
Deutsch DE
Title: Verhandlungssache
"Geiseln zu befreien ist sein Job. Geiseln zu nehmen seine einzige Rettung."
Italiano IT
Title: Il negoziatore
"Libera gli ostaggi per vivere. Adesso prende degli ostaggi per sopravvivere."
Dansk DK
Title: Forhandleren
""
suomi FI
Title: Neuvottelija
"Hän vapautti panttivankeja työkseen. Nyt hän ottaa panttivankeja pysyäkseen hengissä."
Español ES
Title: Negociador
"Liberar rehenes es su vida. Ahora los retiene para poder sobrevivir."

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Cast

Samuel L. Jackson
Lt. Danny Roman
Kevin Spacey
Lt. Chris Sabian
David Morse
Cdr. Adam Beck
Ron Rifkin
Cdr. Grant Frost
John Spencer
Chief Al Travis
J. T. Walsh
Insp. Terence Niebaum
Siobhan Fallon Hogan
Maggie
Paul Giamatti
Rudy
Regina Taylor
Karen Roman
Bruce Beatty
Markus
Michael Cudlitz
Palermo

Crew

David Hoberman
Production
Arnon Milchan
Production
David Nicksay
Production
Robert Stone
Production
Webster Stone
Production
F. Gary Gray
Directing
James DeMonaco
Writing
Kevin Fox
Writing
Graeme Revell
Sound
Russell Carpenter
Camera
Christian Wagner
Editing

Reviews

CinemaSerf
7.0/10
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
8.0/10
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.

Famous Conversations

DANNY: Omar, your wife's here. Ny superiors: will allow me to make the trade now. But I gotta see that you haven't hurt the other hostages. If you haven't, I'11 take the girl and send in your wife.

OMAR: Nice and slow. You come in. Get a look around. Then I get my wife.

OMAR: I'm sorry, Danny. Time's up. I'11 do the girl, then me. I don't give a fuck.

DANNY: Don't give her the satisfaction. Your wife is on her way...

OMAR: Enough talking! We been talking for eleven fucking hours, man. My throat's fucking raw!

OMAR: I want my wife. I told you and told you. Now I'm gettin' tired of this shit--

DANNY: Omar, listen to me--

OMAR: No more goddamn talking! I want the bitch or I'm gonna do the girl!

DANNY: Your Raoul?

OMAR: Sometimes, I want to blow his fucking brains out!

DANNY: Omar--

OMAR: Danny, I can't fucking wait anymore. You hear me? Now where the fuck's my wife?

DANNY: She's coming, Omar, she's coming--

OMAR: I fucking hate Raoul. Shut the fuck up, asshole! someone.

DANNY: You hate Raoul?

OMAR: Sometimes. And sometimes I don't-- Shut the fuck up!

DANNY: We got any shots?

NATHAN: Bathroom. But he's nowhere near it.

NATHAN: How long's it been?

DANNY: I'm still on my honeymoon.

NATHAN: So don't pull this cowboy shit now. You'll give him a target. You'll get yourself killed. Just keep talking.

DANNY: I will. Inside. There's no other way to get the gun off the girl's head, Nate.

NATHAN: Negotiator entering Kill Zone.

NATHAN: Whoa. No way. You can't enter the kill zone.

DANNY: Since when?

NATHAN: Since you got married. You got someone else to think about now, Danny.

NATHAN: Beck's just put us on standby for crisis entry.

DANNY: That's not the play. Omar'll get a shot off. I can still talk to him, Nate, I just need time.

NATHAN: Nathan to HBT 1. Negotiator is requesting more time.

Oscar Awards

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Media

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The Negotiator (1998) Trailer
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