The NegotiatorThe Negotiator
This film centers on a former FBI hostage negotiator who, after being framed for murder, tries to clear his name by taking several people hostage in order to uncover the guilty party.Although it eventually runs out of smart ideas and resorts to a typically explosive finale, this above-average thriller rises above its formulaic limitations on the strength of powerful performances by Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey. Both play Chicago police negotiators with hotshot reputations, but when Jackson
Rating:  List Price: $ 12.98 Price: $ 5.97 Citizen X
Based on the true story of the hunt for the most savage and elusive serial killer on record. It started with eight bodies found murdered, raped and mutilated. A brilliant Soviet forensics expert (Stephen Rae) is put in charge of the case by his colonel (Donald Sutherland). But the investigation is buried under government red tape until a psychiatrist (Max von Sydow) is called in to create a psychological profile of the murder. With fifty-two victims to his name, the killer they call Citizen X fi
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(out of 144 reviews)
Review by Kelly for The Negotiator
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Someone is embezzling money from the police department, and when Danny Roman is accused of the deed, he ends up taking several hostages within the department when things escalate and get out of hand. Danny has lost confidence in everyone in his own department, so he requests hostage negotiator Chris Sabian to help negotiate, and help prove his innocence. As the situation gets to a critical level, pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place. This is a very intense emotional suspense movie. Samuel Jackson and Kevin Spacey turn in phenomenal performances. This thrill a minute film is a definite must see.
Review by Justin Heath for The Negotiator
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Just when you think he’s cornered, he thinks of a new strategy. Samuel L. Jackson portrays Lieutenant Danny Roman, police hostage negotiator. When he’s framed for a crime he didn’t commit, against his fellow police officers no less, he knows that the only way out is to bring in an equally tough negotiator, Lieutenant Chris Sabian played by Kevin Spacey, who’s from another precinct and who therefore could not have been contaminated by the bad elements within his own force, which buys him the necessary time to bluff and blindside while he finds the clues he needs to prove he’s innocent. Chicago is taken hostage along with the few people he retains as bargaining chips, and we are taken along for the ride. This was a masterful job of film-making from beginning to end. The characters and story were flawlessly developed. We don’t precisely know who’s guilty or who’s innocent. Roman conducts his interrogation and trial while he negotiates with the police outside, some of whom are working overtime to eliminate Roman before he figures it all out. This all occurs right under the noses of the FBI who are in way over their heads and don’t have a clue who’s guilty or innocent, just like the rest of us watching. Along the way, we get to witness Roman lecture his underlings about the finer points of negotiations while he himself has just become a hostage taker. “Never say no!” he barks with effective zeal. And he tests his bewildered pupils continuously, who fail continuously. Only Sabian is smart enough to understand what’s going on in Roman’s mind. The strategy is shared by two men who think alike, who are under stress, and have an innate instinct for lie detection. The screenplay was terrific. The cinematography was effective. The acting of Jackson and Spacey exceptional. And the supporting cast, particularly bad-guy-turned-good-guy Paul Giamatti who provides great comic relief, was outstanding. If you’re in the mood for an intelligent, taut thriller, The Negotiator delivers… 9/10.
Review by Schtinky for The Negotiator
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Lt. Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson), a police negotiator, and his partner Nate Roenick (Paul Guilfoyle) discover that someone has been embezzling money from the police retirement fund. When Nate is killed, Danny is set up with planted evidence to take the fall on the embezzlement charges.
When Danny confronts Inspector Terence Neibaum (J.T. Walsh), who works in Internal Affairs, trying to find out why he is being set up, things get out of hand and Danny winds out taking Neibaum and his entire office hostage. Danny insists on speaking only with Lt. Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey), a police negotiator from a west side precinct who is unknown to their department. Danny’s hopes are that with Chris being an outsider, he can help him discover the truth behind the bad cops in his department that killed his partner.
What follows is a tense thriller as step by step, Danny gets closer to the truth behind the very people he has known and worked with for over ten years, building up to a rather predictable and yet intensely climactic ending.
The performances by Samuel Jackson and Kevin Spacey are as good as it gets, backed by terrific supporting roles from David Morse, J.T. Walsh, Siobhan Fallon, Paul Giamatti, and Michael Cudlitz.
The Negotiator stands out amongst other movies of it’s genre because of it’s tight scripting, excellent editing and photography, and the obvious fact that the actors involved were working as a close team. This is a great thriller, tense from beginning to end, and a definite addition to your DVD collection.
I like the fact that it is definitely enjoyable even after the second and third viewing, knowing who is who the second time around and watching the interaction from the “I know who’s guilty” angle, and appreciating the performances all over again. Enjoy!
Review by Richard Otsuki #13 for The Negotiator
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One of the finest police negotiator in the city, Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson), is set up and accused of murdering his partner and best friend, Nate Roenick (Paul Guilfoyle) after discovering that money from a police fund is stolen from police just like them, and maybe even those they call “friends”. Soon, evidence, circumstances and even close friends all point fingers at Roman, but he isn’t even close to giving in. As the story unfolds, Roman storms into the Infernal Affairs hoping to find something about the ones that stole the money and killed Roenick. Though intending to faces Inspector Terence Neibaum and reveal the truth peacefully, Roman is soon forced to take Niebaum, along with others in his office, as hostages. In a matter of short time, Roman is on national television and his previous co-workers are on to stop him. Ironically, he isn’t negotiating, but being negotiated with, this time by Lt. Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey) the best negotiator in the country, but not even the finest can bring Roman down, because he knows the rules of the game. As Roman gets closer to the truth, time is fighting against him, as people forcefully attempt to stop him by all means.
A true classic, redefining the definition of truth and persistence as a strong individual fights through with belief and justice on his shoulders. This suspenseful, exciting, dramatic, and action-filled movie is one not to be missed.
Review by Tim Wright for The Negotiator
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Another “hostage scenario with twists” thriller. In it, Samuel Jackson and Kevin Spacey both play police hostage negotiators, operating on opposite sides of the law. Jackson is forced to take hostages in a bid to prove his innocence after he is framed for the murder of his partner. As part of his strategy for exposing the conspiracy of corrupt cops resposnsible for framing him and killing his partner, Jackson calls in the impartial Spacey to act as his negotitator and buy him the time he needs. Meanwhile the corrupt cops are trying to find excuses for killing Jackson while making it look like a neccessary part of the hostage-freeing operation.
Jackson does his usual powerful action hero stuff but think more Danny Glover in lethal weapon than Jules in Pulp Fiction (less cool and swagger). Spacey (surely a true acting god) is somewhat restricted in this role (lets face it the material doesn’t really allow him to showcase his full talents), but does a great job of bringing to life the rather pedestrian script.
I was entertained. But not blown away.
Review by Sheila Chilcote-Collins for Citizen X
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From Robert Cullen’s true crime novel, “The Killer Department” comes HBO Studio’s “Citizen X”. Originally cablecast on HBO February 25, 1995, Donald Sutherland won the Golden Globe for Supporting Role Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Made for TV in 1996 and also the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Special in 1995.Based on the true story of the eight year long manhunt in communist Soviet Union (1982 – 1990) for one of the most savage and elusive serial killers on record – Andrei Chikatilo (a chilling Jeffrey DeMunn). The story starts out with newbie forensic pathologist, Viktor Burakov (a great Stephen Rea), and his first cadaver that comes into the morgue. A quick nightime search of the wooded area where the body was found is completed with eight MORE bodies found in varying degrees of decomposition and desication. All are children, boys and girls alike and have been murdered, raped and mutilated in some very odd ways. Viktor, somehow, is put in charge of the WHOLE blessed case by Colonel Mikhail Fetisov (Donald Sutherland). With Viktor now being forensic expert, detective, and case cracker extraordinaire, he is more than a little wary of his own capabilites and feels like the only man who cares about these horrific murders that are taking place. The investigation continues on for many years with many murders being committed over time because the case is being buried under the communist parties’ government red tape and “poo pooing” by the Colonel’s superior and sinister leader, Bondarchuk (Joss Ackland). Thankfully and finally the cold war hits and Viktor is given permission to bring in a psychiatrist, Dr. Alexandr Bukhanovsky (Max von Sydow) to create a psychological profile of the serial rapist and murder. Not only is this the first case of serial murder in the USSR but the first to employ psychological profiles, US FBI tactics, and dissemination of the crimes to the general populus. With fifty-two victims to his name, the killer they deem “Citizen X” finally takes shape right before their eyes… Watch this doozy of a true crime story and see if they “KATCH THEIR KILLER”!All of the performances are top-notch with only a bit of the Russian accents faltering a bit, even in Sutherland’s double award-winning portrayal. Rea, DeMunn, and von Sydow also deserved awards for their truly engrossing performances.If you like true crime or the Hannibal stories, you are sure to enjoy this film!Happy Watching and Don’t Talk To “Strangers On The Train”…
Review by N. Solunac for Citizen X
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Steven Rea is outstanding in his portrayal of a police forensic specialist who must piece together the clues as well as fight a system unwilling to admit it’s own shortcomings. His ability to convey the complex emotions of his character through facial expression rather than dialogue is reason enough to watch the movie. A cameo by Max von Sydow as a psychologist willing to brave the criticism of his contemporaries in an attempt to develop an M.O. for the killer is most notable for it’s keen insight into the mind of a serial madman. Donald Sutherland is actually quite entertaining as a communist aparatchik colonel who goes full circle with the changing climate. Jeffrey DeMunn, who has many supporting roles to his credit, is remarkable as the unassuming and pitiful murderer who manages to inspire revulsion as well as sympathy. Not action packed by today’s standards; however, an excellent psychological thriller with deep and thought provoking glimpses behind an “Iron Curtain” few of us ever really understood. Had it been released in theaters rather than on HBO, it surely would have received praise akin to other notables such as “Silence of the Lambs.” The story strictly focuses on character development. In allowing viewers the unique luxury of using their imaginations, it does not offend by relying on eye-candy and shock effects. It simply tells an interesting story. I couldn’t wait for this one to come out on DVD!
Review by M. J. Walters for Citizen X
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“Citizen X” boasts a brilliant cast which includes Stephen Rea, Donald Sutherland, Max Von Sydow and Jeffrey DeMunn. It also offers viewers a compelling storyline about one of the most prolific serial killers in history and the man who finally brought him to justice. We follow an honest, driven cop (Rea) as he negotiates his way through the labyrinth of denial and bureaucratic stonewalling in the former Soviet Union.
Sutherland as an army Colonel who is at first just in it as a part of a grand political scheme, is affecting as a man who comes to understand the importance of Rea’s work on a wholly human level. Von Sydow is wonderful (as always) as a psychiatrist who is willing to go against prevailing attitudes in his own field for the chance not only to help catch the killer, but to study him. And DeMunn is nothing short of amazing as the killer who provokes revulsion, anger and pity by turns.
This is a film which cannot leave you untouched. But be warned, it’s a hard film to watch. It doesn’t shrink from the details of the crimes or the harsh realities of life at the end of the Soviet Union.
Review by A. Fultz for Citizen X
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This is the best film never released to the general public. Produced for HBO, this movie tracks the true story of the hunt for the most prolific serial killer in Soviet/Russian history. The story focuses on the “detective”, Burakov, (played by Stephen Rea) who dedicates himself to finding the killer that is stalking young children in the Soviet Union. Rea does an excellent job of bringing to life the character, who faces road blocks everywhere he turns from the Soviet government who refuse to admit they have a serial killer in their nation. Donald Sutherland plays the sympathetic superior to Rea’s detective. As Rea fights an uphill battle to cut through bueracratic red-tape, Sutherland queitly works behind the scenes to smooth the waters for his less polically astute subordinate. Toghether, the two make headway in their increasingly tense search for the killer. The true depth of the friendship and respect they have developed is revealed late in the film, in a scene immediately after the Soviet government is replaced and Sutherland reveals the new resources available to them. One of the most poignant scenes in recent films, this moment defines the toll that this type of investigation takes on the investigator who undertakes to seek justice against all odds. Without saying a word, Rea manages to convey the deep emotions his character is feeling as his superior finally reveals the true admiration he has for the work his subordinate has done. Rea and Sutherland play their roles masterfully throughout this drama.The supporting cast is also excellent. Jeffrey DeMunn, Max Von Sydow, Mike Navrides and John Wood lead a group of actors who most will know by face but not by name and who provide excellent support throughout. DeMunn in particular is impressive as Chikatilo.It is a shame this film is seen in some circles as a “made for t.v. movie”. If this movie had been released in the theaters, it would have earned similar praise to such thrillers as Silence of the Lambs or Seven. The story is first rate and keeps the viewer enthralled until the very end. Well acted, written and directed, Citizen X is a first rate thriller. If you missed it on HBO, don’t miss it now.
Review by Larry VanDeSande for Citizen X
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This HBO movie about the world’s most profligate serial killer was made in 1995 and released on DVD five years later. It portrays a near decade-long pursuit of a real life serial killer in the Soviet Union and the action crosses over the period from 1982-90, from the transition of Soviet Union under Communist control to glasnost Russia under Gorbachev.
The film portrays the case of a state forensics expert turned investigator (Stephen Rea from “The Crying Game”), his relationship with the Soviet bureaucracy, his boss (Donald Sutherland) and a psychiatrist whose insights were critical to solving the case (Max von Sydow). These actors are all marvelous and veteran character actor Jeffrey DeMunn does a more than creditable job as the serial killer.
While the story itself is completely fascinating and involving, what I found more enticing was the recreation of Soviet Russia during the period. Filmed in Budapest, Hungary, the movie portrays world military power USSR for what it really is — a Third World nation whose residents largely reside in poverty and, often, squalor.
One of the great truths of this film is that the killer met his quarry at railroad stations. One of the lesser known secrets inside the old Soviet Union was its outstanding public transit systems, of which the rail program was one. The one thing I found somewhat unrealistic was not a single scene in the dreadful Russian winter, which sometimes lasts 9 months in that part of the world.
This is great filmmaking and wonderful storytelling linked with believable acting in every scene. The subplot of Communist bureaurcracy interfering with the police investigation is probably the message most people will remember from this film. I’d advise you to take away the idea that Russia, while one of the great world military powers in the 1980s, was just as gray and miserable a place to live as portrayed in every scene of this brilliant film.