Watch Mad City

Mad City is a thrilling drama film that was released in 1997. It tells the story of a struggling journalist named Max Brackett, portrayed by John Travolta, who is desperate for his big break. As luck would have it, he finds himself in the midst of a sensational story when a man named Sam Baily, played by Dustin Hoffman, accidentally becomes the center of attention of a small town museum.

The story starts when Max pulls over to a museum to relieve himself in the washroom. By chance, he walks into a robbery in progress, and the security guard locks both him and Sam in the museum. Sam is an ex-employee fired from the museum a week ago, looking for a chance to prove he is valuable. He intends to take the manager's office's replica to compensate for his lost job. Max, on the other hand, sees a golden opportunity to make a name for himself when he realizes that Sam inadvertently becomes the unwitting star of a hostage crisis.

As the hours pass, Max finds himself with the exclusive scoop that he has been craving. He keeps talking on the phone with his news director, who is situated at a remote location and advises Max to get as much footage as he can. Max knows that the hostage crisis is his chance to redeem himself and help his career. The story becomes more complex when the museum becomes a media attraction, and Max finds himself in the center of a highly motivated media company.

Meanwhile, Sam starts to feel guilty about his actions, and he makes it clear that he's not a terrorist, but a man merely trying to get his job back. He demands that they let him speak with the museum's owner. The manager, Mrs. Banks, sees this as a chance to boost the museum's funding and gain valuable publicity for their latest exhibit. Thus, she manipulates the situation by agreeing only if the media covers it in detail and turns it into a full-blown news story.

Alan Alda plays Kevin Hollander, the network president who uses the situation to advance his career. He commands media attention and creates an over-hyped news story, presenting himself as the tragic hero that saved the situation while pushing Max's career growth on the TV network as well. Hollander sees an opportunity to take the museum hostage story from a regional issue to a national debate on values like the freedom of speech, artistic expression, and talent.

As the siege enters its second day, things become increasingly volatile as the media circus attracts the attention of politicians and the public. Crowds of onlookers begin to gather outside the museum, and the police start to get aggressive with their interventions. The intense pressure mounts on Max, and he realizes that he must make an ethical decision. Along the way, he has to overcome his own anxieties and work up the courage to take responsibility for his actions.

The film is an exciting rollercoaster ride of emotions, suspense, and drama, with amazing performances from Travolta, Hoffman, and Alda. The three actors embody their characters with depth and authenticity, and their chemistry on screen is magnetic. John Travolta's portrayal of Max Brackett is intense and realistic, bringing a sense of urgency and anxiety to the story.

In conclusion, Mad City presents a cautionary tale of how media outlets manipulate their coverage to advance their own interests, emphasizing the need to balance our demands for breaking news and sensational stories with our ethical and moral responsibilities. The film is thought-provoking and engaging, and it raises important questions about the role of the media in shaping public opinion and maintaining democratic values. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in drama, suspense, and current affairs.

Mad City is a 1997 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 45.