DEAD MAN'S Wire
Based on real events, the 1977 abduction of a high‑profile banker ignites national attention and unexpectedly transforms the kidnapper into a rebellious folk hero. As the media frenzy intensifies, the unfolding standoff morphs into a gripping display of desperation, defiance, and morality—an unsettling portrait of the justice system and the media that makes you question who the victim really is in the situation, and one that still echoes in the current times.
On February 8, 1977, Tony Kiritsis (Skarsgård) storms into
Meridian Mortgage, convinced that the company ruined his chance at his American
Dream. With the owner, M.L. Hall (Pacino), vacationing in Florida, Tony snaps
and takes Hall’s son Richard (Montgomery) hostage, wiring him to a shotgun
(dead man’s wire) in a desperation to get justice and his money.
The next 63 hours explode into a media spectacle, a charged
police standoff, and a shocking wave of public support for Tony, who becomes an
unlikely working‑class hero. Along the way, a laid‑back radio DJ (Domingo), an
eager young TV reporter (Myha’la), and a calm cop (Cary Elwes) get dragged
into the chaos.
Packed with ’70s flair—from Roberta Flack’s “Compared to
What” to Yes’s “I’ve Seen All Good People”—the film feels both retro and eerily
relevant. The film transports you back to the 70's with the look and sounds.
*The real standoff is still taught in media ethics classes
today as a warning about how easily journalists can escalate a volatile
situation.
What worries me about this film, even though it's based on real events, is the fact that it's been seen in current times, where you see people snap on a dime and are inspired by extreme events. I hope that this doesn't inspire copycats to do the same thing.
This film screened at TIFF50 and was one of the films I had noted on my blog picks, but I didn't have a chance to see it during the festival.
