Proof of Life
Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 8, 2000 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
45
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
15
Negative:
5
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Chicago TribuneMarc Caro
The movie delivers on its own terms. It may emerge a bit bruised and tattered around the edges, but its ever-beating heart provides the ultimate Proof of Life.
75
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Fortunately, this film doesn't have to depend on off-screen dalliances to prove its worth.
73
Mr. ShowbizKevin Maynard
Proof of Life won't hold your heart hostage for very long after it's over, but here's looking at Russell Crowe -- he's the real deal, sweetheart. Read full review
63
New York PostLou Lumenick
Disappointingly routine kidnapping thriller with soap-opera trimmings. Read full review
63
USA TodayMike Clark
It's never enough of a grabber to keep the mind from wandering to the romance it apparently sparked. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
The romantic subtext of their characters' relationship is the film's chief liability, and feels forced and undeveloped. Read full review
63
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
Whatever romantic tension the film has is communicated in the coiled-spring performance by Crowe, one of the most remarkable actors working. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeJay Carr
It's absorbing, although draggy. Read full review
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
I was interested all through the movie--interested, but not riveted. I cared, but not quite enough. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Against the lush backdrop of the Andes, Crowe and Caruso define on-screen cool: good guys in a match of wits and firepower who even talk about their emotions. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyManohla Dargis
Exactly the sort of good bad movie that Hollywood does best -- it's big, worthless fun. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
His (Crowe) emotionally charged performance stands in contrast to Ryan's annoying, movie-star turn. Read full review
58
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
When it's dull, which it is too often for a kidnap caper, this movie is about a woman chirping ''notice anything new about my outfit?'' to a man whose idea of style is a jacket not crusted in human blood. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
An ambitious film that aims to examine the human equations behind the abductions. But for all its good intentions, it's not as subtle as it might be, and it's finally pitched too broadly to achieve the level of emotional truth it aims for. Read full review
50
SlateDavid Edelstein
Crowe gets to use his real Aussie voice, which works better with that poker face, and his underplaying at times has a psychotic intensity. But Ryan looks dopey when she's supposed to be stressed-out. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
Morse and Caruso provide better reasons to see this film than do Ryan and Crowe. Read full review
50
Washington PostStephen Hunter
In Proof of Life it's the same old story, a fight for love and glory, except that time goes by . . . slowwwwly. Read full review
50
The New York TimesStephen Holden
What ultimately sinks this stylish but heartless film is a flat lead performance by the eternally snippy Meg Ryan. Read full review
50
SalonMichael Sragow
Everything about Proof of Life is intriguing and a little off. Read full review
50
NewsweekDavid Ansen
This slick, handsomely produced thriller only gets the pulse half racing.
40
Film.comGemma Files
This is half a good movie held hostage to the other, trashier half, and unfortunately for all of us, no rescue seems forthcoming. Read full review
40
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Slim pickings.
40
VarietyTodd McCarthy
A disappointingly routine thriller that prefers to lean on tired Hollywood conventions rather than to explore fresh dramatic and stylistic territory. Read full review
40
Film.comPeter Brunette
Flat and thoroughly predictable piece of filmmaking. Read full review
30
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
It's Rambo with a split hero -- Morse absorbing punishment and Crowe wreaking vengeance. Read full review
25
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
A hostage drama without any tension. It is a love story without any heat. It is as curiously empty a movie as we've seen all year. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChronicleBob Graham
A hostage drama that oscillates between soap opera and action flick. Read full review
20
Dallas ObserverRobert Wilonsky
Proof of Life kidnaps the audience, then tortures it to a slow death Read full review
20
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Proof of Life isn't a movie. It's an overpriced scrapbook. Read full review
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