Mad City is a damned hard movie to watch. The hard indictment of journalism is played 40 minutes (That's two reels, folks) too long.

Don't get me wrong, there are merits here. First, the acting is topnotch. Dustin Hoffman is the TV reporter mediating a distressed John Travolta to the rest of the world. Alan Alda is the SOB network news anchor pushing the story to its unfortunate conclusion.

Yeah, you figure the ending out real early in this one. Keep a bottle of anti-depressants nearby, the writer and director are strapping you in for a real downer.

Sucks and Blows!

Film Facts

Cast
• John Travolta
• Dustin Hoffman
• Alan Alda
• Mia Kirshner
• William Atherton
• Raymond J. Barry
• Ted Levine
• Robert Prosky
• Blythe Danner
• Akosua Busia
• Randall Batinkoff
• Lucinda Jenney
• William O'Leary
• Tammy Lauren
• Ebbe Roe Smith

Directed by Costa-Gavras

Released in 1997

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Reviewed by Mongo