harrowing tale of kidnap and conflict. Set in Tecala (a fictional place),  South America, this movie tells the story of a couple, Alice and Peter Bowman (Meg Ryan and David Morse) living in South America, whose lives turn to turmoil when Peter is kidnapped and held for ransom by the ELT (Liberation Army of Tecala). Enter Terry Thorne (Russell Crowe), Kidnap and Ransom netotiator extraordinaire, who isdetermined, against all odds i.e. zero financing from his

London-based company, to bring Peter home. Oh, and as if the situation isn't bad enough, he also falls for Peter's nervous wreck of a wife, Alice. Can you imagine what the poor guy must be going through? On the one hand, he's this hero who promised a grieving wife that he would bring her husband home; on the other hand, a part of him must wish that the guy never comes back so that he can get it on with the wife. Man, oh, man.
  
This movie has quite an interesting plot that explores and explains every angle, nook and cranny before it forges on full force. We get to know the characters and learn about

the issues before we plunge into the entire sordid tale. Unfortunately, this comes with a price: It's a slow climb to the climax, especially where it concerns the  not-meant-to-be budding romance between Ryan and Crowe. So whatever kind of nail-biting tension the director was trying to build just wasn't doing its job. It's touching and romantic and all to watch them bat their long eyelashes at each other and look at each other with intense longing but we'd  rather see some real action.

No, we don't mean bedroom action; we mean combat, heroic, "You go, Crowe!" action on the Tecala highlands where David Morse's character is being held. Other than that, there is no other major complaints. Once we got over the diappointment of the movie unfolding at a snail's pace, we found the insight to appreciate its merits. For one, it boasts of some great acting. And its sentimental touches, such as the apparent love between kidnapped husband and waiting wife and the tender moments between hero to the rescue and

scenes sprinkled across the film. Speaking of rat-ta-tat combat scenes, the ones in this movie are quite adrenaline-pumping! They're well-choreographed and nicely executed. They sure bring back childhood memories of playing with walkie-talkies and rolling around in the mud! Aside from emotion and action, "Proof Of Life" also manages to fit in some humour...not too much but just enough to offer some comic relief.

 
Overall, "Proof Of Life" is a good movie worth seeing if you're in the mood for something intense, not to mention politically relevant. Or if you just want to see for yourself the sexual tension between now-lovers Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe, then by all means, here's your pro!