Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- tense
- cynical
- morally conflicted
- political thriller night
- media criticism double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized the film's timely media critique and strong intentions but found its execution sluggish and uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Max Brackett's reporting turns Sam Baily's hostage situation into the dominant national story.
The story emphasizes that the news event eclipses the reasons and people behind it.
The hostage crisis expands as television coverage spreads nationwide and competing interests shape its meaning.
The natural history museum becomes both the site of the hostage crisis and the focus of public attention.
Films like Mad City, and why
Ace in the Hole
media sensationalism, morally compromised journalism, and escalating public spectacle
Network
journalistic ethics, institutional pressure, and tense newsroom drama
The Negotiator
hostage crisis tension combined with manipulation by mass media
Dog Day Afternoon
crime thriller structure focused on public perception and moral ambiguity
Movie Details
- Director
- Costa-Gavras
- Release Date
- 1997-10-10
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (377)
Cast
- John Travolta
- Dustin Hoffman
- Mia Kirshner
- Alan Alda
- Robert Prosky
- Blythe Danner
- William Atherton
- Ted Levine
- Milton Davis Jr.
- Bill Nunn
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mad City about?
- A desperate museum hostage-taking becomes a nationwide media circus that tests a reporter’s conscience and a captive man’s humanity.
- What is Mad City like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mad City as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Mad City violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Mad City as mild.
- What did critics think of Mad City?
- Critics broadly recognized the film's timely media critique and strong intentions but found its execution sluggish and uneven.
- Which films are like Mad City?
- Films with a similar feel include Ace in the Hole, Network, The Negotiator, and Dog Day Afternoon.
- How long is Mad City?
- Mad City runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mad City?
- In United States, Mad City is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
