Great Film overall

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

I just finished watching this film, for possibly the ninth time. Each and every time it entertains. Hollywood seems to have forgotten how to make action films like this one. A real story. Real characters and a story that is plausible. Imagine that? In this day and age, or cardboard characters, and cartoons that attempt to come to life, it is so refreshing. One of the last great films by Taylor Hackford, and a Gladiator type performance from Russell Crowe. Even David Caruso was good, though a little over the top.Crowe stars as a desensitized yet sympathetic kidnap-and-rescue specialist ("KNR" in the trade jargon) dispatched to an unnamed Central American country to negotiate for the return of an American hydroelectric engineer (David Morse). The man has been abducted by drug-running rebels looking to score a big ransom from his oil conglomerate employer. The country is very obviously Colombia. The ELT is stand in for the FARC. Meg Ryan plays Morse's distraught wife who grows to trust this brusque KNR man just as the oil company tries to weasel out of its responsibility, dismissing Crowe's high-rent expert and bringing in a crooked, inexperienced local yokel instead. The oil company execs are portrayed for exactly who they are. Weasels, and morally bankrupt, ethically challenged megalomaniacs. The government stooges are portrayed for exactly who they are. Men who care nothing for their people. It is all about politics, and as always, the people come last.But for the first time in his life (apparently) Crowe's conscience -- and Ryan's tenacity -- gets the better of him and he decides to secure Morse's return with or without company backing. Thus begins a lengthy game of who-will-blink-first negotiation that tries Ryan's nerves despite assurances that the threats, disquieting prisoner photos and outrageous demands are standard bargaining procedure. This begins to get a bit tiresome, but I went along for the ride. It may be somewhat genuine. Who knows?Deftly weaved into this home front story is the parallel plot which finds an increasingly scruffy Morse marched to a bemired hideout deep in the mountainous jungle for six inhumane months as a prisoner. David Morse is his usual self, with great acting, and as always, a tremendous presence. Inspired by a 1998 Vanity Fair article about real KNR operatives, "Proof" portrays an authentic sense of the danger inherent in this part of the world. The fear and anxiety of a kidnap victim's family comes through distinctly, as does the power of the kind of people who stare down kidnappers for a living.Crowe does a good job coloring in the mettle of his generically strong and silent type. Hackford's direction consistently rises above any script shortcomings and makes this film so watchable. In the wrong hands, "Proof" could have become a movie of the week or a B-grade action loser. While Hackford does stick to the Hollywood straight and narrow, he never allows the movie to become trite.This is an really great action film.

A Disappointing, Mediocre Movie with just Enough Hollywood Professionalism to get buy on its Looks and Lamenting about Third World Gangsterism and First World Corporate Influence and Indifference.There are Scenes that are Interesting in Tony Gilroy's Script, but like the Film, is Never Consistently Engaging in the Things that make This Type of Thing Interesting to Movie-Goers. Undeniably, the Movie's Biggest Misstep is the Romantic Angle Forced on the Film and it is Lacking, Meg Ryan's Pouting and Sniffling, one more bit of Unneeded Tension. David Caruso's Over-Acting and His Character, at times, Acting so Silly, doesn't help. Perhaps it is a Hollywood Notion that People going to see Russell Crowe and a Cute Semi-Superstar (whose Star faded very fast), expect some Soap Opera Among the Action, Philosophy and Politics. All that Stuff is a Heavy Load to Take On for any Movie and its the One Ingredient that Spoiled this Cinematic Brew.

This is one of those movies that simply...does not work. The three principle actors lack any intensity in what is a life and death situation. Russell Crowe tries hard to be cooler than cool...he finally looks like a live zombie. (far, far away). Meg Ryan looks very happy ...even after her husband has been kidnapped for many months. I do know this is the movie where Meg and the Crowe started there love affair...perhaps its true what they say about the Crowe. (anyway Meg sure looks happy). David Morse as Megs husband is never convincing in his role. The jumpy direction certainly does not help....and the continual instant changing of locations is not good. Its a movie with high ambitions ..it is also a bomb

I liked this movie, I liked the characters and the pacing and plot, but what's with the gratuitous use of cigarette placement in this film. it seemed crow-bared into the story for no effect. there was no point to its inclusion. Add to that we never see meg Ryan taking a puff, just awkwardly waving her cigarette around. I first say a stray puff of smoke and wondered what the hell it was then later figured out Meg was smoking (or not). Then we get Crow in on the act and the sister. It just rang hollow and confusing and put a corporate edge on an otherwise interesting story.Crow's character was cool and for the family breaking wife stealer he managed to pull in the real world with meg his character was certainly worth it.Meg looked cool too, pre lip implants.The military stuff was precise and focused and the hostage stuff disturbing. A flawed but good movie. I'm glad I watched it.