Action,Drama,Thriller
United States of America
Mad City is a 1997 drama thriller film directed by Costa-Gavras. It stars John Travolta as Sam Baily, a museum security guard who gets fired from his job after accidentally tripping a security alarm and then losing his composure while being questioned by authorities. Desperate to get his job back, Sam sneaks back into the museum with a shotgun, taking several people hostage, including a group of schoolchildren on a field trip.
The situation quickly gets out of hand, and the media descends upon the museum, turning Sam's desperate act into a ratings-driven spectacle. A news reporter named Max Brackett (played by Dustin Hoffman) senses an opportunity to make a name for himself by broadcasting the story live on television. He convinces Sam to let him interview him on live TV, turning the hostage situation into a ratings bonanza.
As the situation continues to escalate, the police and FBI become involved, and a power struggle ensues between the media, the police, and the FBI as they try to resolve the situation. Meanwhile, Sam's motives for taking hostages become clear, and Max begins to realize the extent of his involvement in the situation.
Mad City is a satirical commentary on the media's obsession with sensationalized news stories and the ways in which they manipulate the public to boost ratings. The movie received mixed reviews upon its release but has since become a cult classic for its commentary on the media and its intense performances by both Travolta and Hoffman.
