The one thing which can be said for Proof of Life is that it was a good
balance of everything; drama, emotion and action. There was even a comedy line
thrown in as background banter.David and Alice Bowman are going through a bit of a rough time, she having
miscarried on their last assignment in India. He's working as a subcontractor
for an oil exploration company trying to get an oil pipeline installed, and as
a sweetner are building a dam for humanitarian purposes.
When the oil company finds it's not getting any oil, it pulls the plug and it
looks like the future of the dam is in doubt. But that's not David's biggest
worry; by an unlucky twist of fate he's kidnapped by guerilla terrorists and
held for ransom.
In flies Thorne to negotiate a ransom settlement but has to pull out, due to
conflicts of interests at company level. For reasons never too clearly
explained, Thorne decides he can't put the case to one side, and returns as a
freelancer.
Crowe and Morse are superb throughout this film. Crowe plays Thorne with an air
of emotional detachment, a true professional, ex-SAS. Morse tackles the role
of kidnap victim with vigour and gusto.
Ryan on the other hand, is stodgy in places but not unbearable. The most
difficult thing to accept about her character, Alice, was the surprising lack
of emotional turmoil as her husband is held captive for four months. Whilst
the advice that one, "must realise that it's only about money", Alice manged
to say, "ok then", and put on a stiff upper lip far too readily to be
convincing.
The film covers many aspects of life in unstable countries, the nature of
modern day terrorists and kidnapping for monetary gains, the way of life for
those who are in the terrorist movement in South America, the suffering of the
kidnap victim and the difficulty of negotiating for their release.
And it rounded itself off with a 20 minute, 'go in and get them' climax as the
rebel base is stormed and the captive released.
The balanced storylines of life as a kidnap victim and those who are trying
to get you out was done well. The long trek of David as he is marched around
the country to the rebel base was executed well and convincingly.
If you are looking for a high-action film, then this isn't it; the two hour
wait for the action to start would be mind numbing. If you're looking for some
serious romance between Crowe and Ryan, well, there's not much there either.
If however, you want a film which is well rounded, with a little bit of
everything thrown in, then this is a good choice for viewing.
