"Proof of Life" You Won't Find Much of it.

Russell Crowe adds to his superstar status as a kidnap and ransom negotiator. David Caruso makes a comeback as a high energy mercenary and Meg Ryan delivers a truly unmotivated and unmoving performance.

"Proof of Life" needs just that, LIFE. The story is David Morse who plays Ryans husband is kidnapped by an anti-government group and held for $3 Million ransom. His companies insurance brings in Crowe as a negotiator to get him out alive. Suddenly the company Morse works for goes under so the insurance company pulls Crowe off the job. As Ryan struggles to pull herself together and find a way to get her husband back, Crowe has a sense of heroism and decides to help her out. Crowe calls his old friend played by Caruso and they are off to save the day.

The film has a very strong opening and ending but the middle is where Ryan's character and her sister in law, played by Pamela Reed try to hold the picture together and they can't do it. Crowe not only came back to save the husband but he came back to save the movie. Crowe once again proves that he has real range and charisma as a movie star. David Morse who you may not know his name but know his face from movies like "The Green Mile" and "The Crossing Guard" is great as the kidnapped husband as he goes through a physical and mental transformation.

David Caruso also brings energy and lightness to the film and proves that although he may not be able to carry a movie by himself, he truly deserves to work more. With all that has been said about the on set romance between Ryan and Crowe, none of it shows up on the screen. You can see director Taylor Hackford of "Devil's Advocate" attempts to add some hints of love between the two but it doesn't work. After seeing the movie you have to believe that they cut a lot of scenes between the two so it would not confuse real life and the movie. All in all the actions scenes are well done and the scenes where Meg Ryan is supposed to shine are not well done. It is worth seeing in the theater but don't pay full price.

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