Hostage

Author(s): Connor Campbell
Location: Texas

“Hostage”

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Paul Attanasio

Principal Cast:

Ryan Gosling- Eric Olsen
Maggie Gyllenhaal- Kristin Erikson
Laura Linney- Elizabeth Coal
James Pickens Jr. - Robert Gary
Keke Palmer- Sasha Gary
Paul Dano- Colin Hannigan

Tagline: “The beginning of a phenomenon”

Synopsis: The year is 1973. Kristen Erikson is applying for a loan. Elizabeth Coal is a bank teller. Robert Gary is with his granddaughter Sasha and needs some quick cash. Eric Olsen has just been released from prison. Eric entered the Norrmalmstorg Bank and fired his gun in the air and demanded that the safe be opened. Two police officers stormed in the bank. One was shot and the other was ordered to sit down and “sing something”. He sang Lonesome Cowboy. During the commotion all but 4 escaped; Kristin, Elizabeth, Robert & Sasha. Eric phoned the police and demanded that his friend Colin be brought to the bank along with 3,000,000 kronor, two guns, bullet-proof vests, helmets and a fast car.

Colin was fixed with a wire and was allowed to enter. For the next 6 days, the six would be locked in the bank. Over this time, relationships grew between the hostages and their captors, and eventually Eric and Kristen develop feelings for each other. The 6 people in the bank become great friends. The hostages are more afraid of the police than their captors. When police invade the bank, all hell breaks loose, and someone is dead. The hostages becoming attached to their captors is the basis of the Stockholm Syndrome.

What the press would say:

This is truly amazing. Paul Attanasio, who wrote one of my all time favorites Quiz Show, has managed to write a modern day masterpiece. The interaction of characters is brilliant. Steven Spielberg is amazing (duh) but still, oscar nod #6 is going to be for Hostage. What a cast! Ryan Gosling fresh from an Oscar nod for last year’s Half Nelson delivers an oscar worthy performance as Eric, the lovable bank robber. There is an amazing connection between him and Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is also great. Maggie brings depth and understanding to this difficult character, and eventually Eric & Kristin marry. Laura Linney is simply perfect as Elizabeth. Her seen during the police break-in when she blocks the bullet headed for Eric and dies is amazing. If she doesn’t win the oscar, the academy will loose all credibility. Grey’s Anatomy’s James Pickens Jr. is amazing as the lone male hostage. His character is the most distant from the captors and doesn’t really know who to trust. And Keke Palmer, from last year’s Akeelah & the Bee is amazing as the child who befriends the hostages and defies her grandfather. Her performance is among the great childhood works such as Paper Moon, The Piano, The Sixth Sense, Whale Rider, I am Sam & Little Miss Sunshine. The relationship between Picken’s and Palmer’s characters starts strong but eventually grows weaker and weaker. Amazing acting. Paul Dano is great as Colin. Being wired by the police brings guilt since he is betraying his best friend. The technical achievements in this film are great as usual.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director- Steven Spielberg
Best Actor- Ryan Gosling
Best Actress- Maggie Gyllenhaal
Best Supporting Actor- James Pickens Jr.
Best Supporting Actor- Paul Dano
Best Supporting Actress- Laura Linney
Best Supporting Actress- Keke Palmer
Best Original Screenplay- Paul Attanasio
Best Film Editing- Michael Kahn
Best Cinematography- Janusz Kaminski
Best Original Score- John Williams
Best Costume Design- Adrianne Phillips
Best Sound Editing- Richard Hymns & Gary Rydstorm
Best Sound Mixing- Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer & Rod Judkins