MovieChat Forums > Film General > Ransom (1996)

Ransom (1996)

posted 5 years ago by jackronner (61)
7 replies | jump to latest

Without prejudicing replies to this question by giving my own opinion, was there anyone else who saw this movie and couldn't believe the, literally, incredible flaw in the entire premise? If you remember, Mel Gibson as the Dad of a kidnapped child "bravely" offers the ransom demanded as a reward for info leading to the kidnappers' arrest and recovery of his son. In other words: give him back or we'll get you. The flaw was so commonsensical and obvious that I was incredulous that they actually got the movie made. I find move-makers today so underrate the intelligence of the audience. Unlike the obvious flaw in Ransom, they've taken to making the plots so convoluted and complex that, when they do the big "reveal" of the final twist (which makes no sense at all), the audience is impressed at its cleverness, figuring that they must have missed something in the muddy plot. Nope - you missed it cuz it has no rational basis.

[–] Roguemail (1562) 5 years ago

Error...what am I missing? I cannot see the flaw you are talking about. Please elaborate.

[–] jackronner (61) 5 years ago

No real or fictional kidnapping of a child is the simple choice of life or death of the child as it is presented in this movie; there's the at least implicit threat of maiming or maltreatment of the the kid. As with J Paul Getty's grandson, when they sent his parents a severed ear as an edge in ransom negotiations. Not even an allusion to this in the movie; and what Mom would let Dad gamble with his kid's life? Plus, even if they returned the child and Dad withdrew the bounty on their heads, this doesn't mean the authorities will stop looking. It is literally not a get out of jail card. So what do the have to gain? This flaw was evident from the beginning, so I'm surprised that I didn't walk. I must have had a date.

[–] Roguemail (1562) 5 years ago

I think your memory of the story is hazy. Gibson goes on TV and offers the ransom as a reward to anyone in the city who can either name, identify or give information on the kidnappers, effectively putting a price on their heads.

Granted the risk is that the kidnappers may kill the child as a result, but the police clearly inform him that he is playing a dangerous game and his wife goes apeshit at him for his actions, and that is made very clear.

[–] jackronner (61) 5 years ago

Well, having barely made it thru the movie when it came out, I certainly haven't renewed my memory by seeing it again. But, tho' the cops may have warned him about his son's possible death due to Dad's shenanigans, still no mention of fingers in the mail, etc. Totally divorced from reality (and probably from his wife even after getting the kid back whole); what Dad would accept that risk?

[–] Roguemail (1562) 5 years ago

Would a bog standard run of the mill kidnap plot with the usual predictability have been a better movie?

As silly and contrived you may think the twist is, it made for a more entertaining movie.

[–] jackronner (61) 5 years ago

Gotta say I haven't heard "apeshit" in years and it made me laugh. A very vivid and useful word that is fading away. Sigh.

As to making for an entertaining "twist", this kind of nonsensical plot ruins the whole movie for me. I sure wouldn't want him for a Dad if I were his rich-kid son. "Let's not get creative, Dad!! You can afford it!"

[–] CaldoTheKid (306) 5 years ago

" this doesn't mean the authorities will stop looking"

I believe Gary Sinise in the end wants to go to Mexico, so maybe the plan all along was collect the money and disappear to Mexico. Also Gary Sinise is a cop so obviously he won't be a suspect and I'm sure he'd hear of any developments and when he did would inform the gang to avoid being caught. Also the woman kidnapper didn't have a criminal record so highly doubt the police will be dragging her in anytime soon. Also considering Gary Sinise winds up taking out the entire crew, maybe his plan all along was to collect the money, kill them and stash the money, pin it all on them will covering his own tracks and then wait a few months, say the stress of his work is taking it's toll, quits his job and disappears with his money and nobody suspecting him. It has been a while since I saw the film so can't cover all your points and my memory will be forgetting a few things.