THE REWATCHABLES · January 28, 2019
A 2000 thriller / action directed by Taylor Hackford, covered in the complete Rewatchables archive.
ON THIS EPISODE
FROM THE CONVERSATION
WHY IT WORKS
WHAT DID NOT WORK
SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO
The abduction is praised as realistic and terrifying, with a parade and road blockage making the attack feel plausible.
Opening minutesCaruso’s entrance and the ransom negotiation are treated as a hilarious, electric character reveal.
About 32 minCrowe publicly corners the negotiator with a tape and strong verbal pressure.
About 40 minThe rescue sequence is singled out as one of the best action runs in the film and an all-time stretch.
About 40 minThe final look between Crowe and Ryan as the car pulls away, set to Van Morrison, is treated as transcendent.
About 40 minThe couple’s harsh argument is praised for setting up their damaged relationship and the film’s emotional stakes.
About 48 minCrowe’s confrontation with the negotiator is praised for its tension and smart dialogue.
About 40 minThe emotional rescue is powerful, but the hosts joke that Ryan’s lingering goodbye to Crowe would alarm Morse.
About 48 minWHERE THEY DISAGREED
Bill SimmonsThe real-life affair helps the movie by charging the chemistry and making the plot more compelling.
Chris RyanIt hurt the film’s reception because audiences reacted badly to the tabloid overlap.
Bill SimmonsYes, the scene would make the later kiss and emotional payoff work better.
Chris RyanNot explicitly opposed, but accepts the theatrical cut as effective.
Bill SimmonsAbout 9-10 minutes could be removed, especially some opening material.
Chris RyanThe movie works best from the sister’s departure onward, implying earlier material is weaker.
Calls it one of the best ransom/kidnap movies and says the episode is being done for the hosts, not just listeners.
Opening minutesArgues these movies are compelling because of extreme stakes, twists, and human pressure.
Opening minutesSays Crowe in this film uses the most parts of his star persona and is an ideal movie star.
About 8 minTreats Caruso as the movie’s true scene-stealer and assigns him an in-joke award for it.
About 32 minSays the final rescue sequence and the Van Morrison ending are among the film’s greatest assets.
About 40 minLikes that the movie takes time to explain the characters’ psychology and relationships rather than rushing.
About 8 minInsists the offscreen affair makes the on-screen tension more compelling and complicated.
About 16 minFrames the movie as a last pre-9/11 thriller before surveillance-state and war-on-terror storytelling changed the genre.
About 24 minThinks she works well in the role even if it is a weird fit and not her classic screen persona.
About 16 minCredits Hackford for giving the movie a strong sense of place and a satisfying ending even if he prefers some other stylistic choices.
About 8 minWould cut some opening and foot-injury material but still thinks the movie is unusually strong.
About 40 minEnjoys the exposition montage that explains the guerrilla and kidnapping economy.
About 32 minArgues the film should have kept the sex scene because it would make the later emotional beats more believable.
About 48 minSays any Caruso scene ages best because of how wild and entertaining he is in the part.
About 48 minArgues this may be Crowe’s best performance because it combines charm, attractiveness, stability, and threat.
About 8 minThe hosts define the genre by extreme stakes, negotiation, and human behavior under pressure.
Opening minutesThe Crowe-Ryan affair is treated as inseparable from the film’s tension and reception.
About 16 minThe movie is framed as a last old-world thriller before surveillance-state and war-on-terror storytelling took over.
About 24 minThey celebrate Crowe as a rare leading man who can be both cool and emotionally layered.
About 8 minCaruso, Morse, and other supporting parts are treated as part of the movie’s texture and fun.
About 32 minThe film is based on a Vanity Fair article called Adventures of the Ransom Trade and a book called The Long March to Freedom.
About 8 minCrowe and Ryan reportedly received $7.5 million and $15 million respectively.
About 8 minThe shoot was brutal, with hailstorms, mudslides, altitude sickness, tear gas, and a death of a crew member’s body double.
About 56 minThe movie was filmed mainly in Ecuador.
About 56 minCrowe says one of the stupidest things he ever did was jumping onto a helicopter without a harness.
About 56 minThe hosts connect Henry Cavill to the production through an extra who got encouragement from Crowe.
About 56 minTaylor Hackford said he cut the love scene because audience testing worked better without it.
About 48 minCrowe was considered for Wolverine and nearly for Collateral, and also passed on The Matrix.
About 48 minThey cite their early podcast meetings where they constantly quoted Heat before starting The Rewatchables.
Opening minutesBill compares Proof of Life to a cult favorite that inspires imitators rather than huge sales.
Opening minutes · medium confidenceReferenced as one of the hosts’ favorite ransom movies and part of their Mount Rushmore discussion.
Opening minutesUsed as a benchmark ransom movie in their genre framework.
Opening minutesIncluded in the ransom-movie Mount Rushmore as a kidnapping-by-purpose example.
Opening minutesMentioned as an example of a kidnapping movie.
Opening minutesDiscussed as a cousin to kidnapping movies and included in the broader kidnapping genre family.
Opening minutesReferenced as the next-wave post-9/11 thrillers that replaced movies like Proof of Life.
About 24 minDiscussed as a Crowe apex and used to compare his star trajectory with Proof of Life.
About 16 minMentioned as one of Crowe’s breakout American films.
About 16 minReferenced as a Crowe role where he gained weight and demonstrated range.
About 16 minMentioned as an example of Crowe’s later run not landing as strongly.
About 16 minUsed extensively in the David Caruso backstory and in a David Milch anecdote.
About 24 minMentioned as the source of a David Milch/Caruso story.
About 24 minSeen as a cardboard label in the background during the Panama crew scene.
About 56 min · medium confidenceA recurring joke crowns David Caruso for the episode’s most over-the-top supporting performance.
About 32 minThey keep referring to Caruso’s team as 'my Panama crew' and riff on its dependability.
About 32 minThe line is repeated as a memorable Caruso-ism and quasi-slogan.
About 32 minThey joke that Crowe’s attractiveness makes it hard to resist him in the movie.
Opening minutesRepeated as an emphatic line and joking tag for the episode.
Opening minutes · medium confidenceA nickname for the kidnappers used as a running joke.
About 32 min · medium confidence“Who's the man? You are!”Opening minutes
“Don't you fucking die on me, man.”About 56 min
“This is my Panama crew.”About 32 min
“Stuff of legends!”About 56 min
“We're going to Roma! Arrivederci!”About 56 min
MAKE IT A MOVIE NIGHT
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Three movies to watch before Proof of Life, and three to watch next.
ON THE MIC
Bill SimmonsThe Rewatchables
Chris RyanThe RewatchablesREWATCH FAVS
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