STORYLINE: On February 8, 1977, Tony Kiritsis entered the office of Richard Hall, president of the Meridian Mortgage Company, and took him hostage with a sawed-off shotgun wired with a “dead man’s wire” from the trigger to Tony’s own neck. (IMDb)

    There’s all sorts of movies available to watch about kidnapping and taking hostages.  Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawk teamed up for the comedic Snatched (2017).  Christopher Plummer starred in the dramatic in All the Money in the World (2017).  Liam Neeson was the headliner in the action packed Taken, from 2008.  The The Coen Brothers directed Fargo (1996), celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.  Currently in theaters, is Dead Man’s Wire, a film based upon a real life kidnapping. 

     Dead Man’s Wire goes for the thrills that a viewer would find in a suspense filled kidnapping feature.  Those moments are there, just sparse.  The movie works more as a drama, then it does as a thriller.

    This film is also a period piece. It is set in the late seventies. Dead Man’s Wire features all the classic outfits, dialogue, and the sideburns that were the fashion of the time. Weaved into the story, are the racial tensions of the time as well.

   Dead Man’s Wire makes interesting points about corporate greed, desperation, and mental illness.  Also the film talks about wanting to have your voice heard. 

    This is a dramatic feature, with a few moments of tension sprinkled in, that touches on a handful of subjects worth noting.

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!