The traditional economic motive for hostage-taking served up as bittersweet as pickled herrings by the Coens in Fargo - remains a cinematic staple, sometimes to the point of cliche. Certainly that was the response to the current Kidnapping Feddy Heineken (2015), a true-life case that left most international critics underwhelmed. The film has some nice touches: atmospheric Amsterdam location shoots, a waterways chase. Otherwise it plays like passable British TV - and in fact was pre-dated by a Netherlands TV movie on the case, starring Rutger Hauer. More is expected from Money Monster, directed by veteran Hollywood actress Jodie Foster from an original screenplay. Ever youthful but grey-haired George Clooney will play Lee Gates, a small-screen financial guru targeted by blue-collar worker Kyle Budwell (Jack OConnell - now a nascent British Hollywood star having survived the mean streets of Belfast in 71) for his familys bankruptcy. Incensed by what he sees as smug Gates toxic fiscal advice, Kyle resolves to take the TV host prisoner in front of the cameras in his own media environment. The potential joker in this three-handed pack is the shows director/executive producer Nancy (Julia Roberts). While she has every interest in saving the life of her star - who also happens to be the man in her life - she watches her ratings sky-rocket as the bizarre real-life drama captivates audiences. In its theme of lives potentially sacrificed to the Nielsen ratings, the as-yet pre-produced Money Monster seems to recall William Holdens rancorous anchorman breaking down and ultimately getting assassinated onscreen, in Network (1977). In that black comic satire, however, Holden remained at liberty before the cameras until his last hurrah; in asking us to feel sympathy for both hostage-taker and hostage, Money Monster may have more in common with the Late-Show-under-siege scenario of The King Of Comedy - though it remains to be seen if Ms. Foster can match the cold bite of her onetime director. What seems highly likely is that, in the aftermath of the world economic downturn, many of us are likely to sympathise with the anguished Kyle and his rage at the smiling host who promised so much. In such a fantasy scenario, it might be fatally attractive to hold the man who personifies our impoverishment at gunpoint, threatening him with death unless the stock that under-performed on the markets rises by a very arithmetically specific 24.5%. In practice, well, its probably one of the best guarantors of dramatic catastrophe there is. Just look at all the smart guys above and how their biggest plans went awry... What's your favourite depiction of kidnapping in movies? Share down in the comments.
Writer/editor/ghost-writer transfixed by crime, cinema and the serrated edges of popular culture. Those similarly afflicted are invited to make contact.
