Captive (2015 film)
Captive | |
---|---|
Directed by | Jerry Jameson |
Screenplay by | Brian Bird |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Luis David Sansans |
Edited by | Melissa Kent |
Music by | Lorne Balfe |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $2 million[2] |
Box office | $2.8 million[3] |
Captive is a 2015 American crime-drama thriller film directed by Jerry Jameson and written by Brian Bird and Reinhard Denke, based on the non-fiction book Unlikely Angel by Ashley Smith.
A true story about Brian Nichols, who escapes from the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta on March 11, 2005 and holds Ashley Smith as a hostage, the film stars David Oyelowo as Nichols and Kate Mara as Smith. Filming began in October 2013 in North Carolina. The film was released worldwide on September 18, 2015 by Paramount Pictures.
Plot
On March 11, 2005, Brian Nichols (David Oyelowo) escapes from the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta, during his trial involving a rape case. In the process of the escape he murders the judge presiding over his trial, Rowland Barnes, as well as court reporter Julie Brandau. He also shoots Sergeant Hoyt Teasley while escaping from the courthouse, and then later kills ICE Special Agent David G. Wilhelm, who was off-duty at his home. Nichols becomes the subject of a citywide manhunt. His frantic escape brings him to the apartment of Ashley Smith (Kate Mara), a single mother and recovering methamphetamine addict, whom he holds hostage. Smith gets through this time inspired by Rick Warren's best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life, while Nichols searches for redemption. As she reads aloud, Smith and her would-be killer come to a crossroads.
Cast
- David Oyelowo as Brian Nichols
- Kate Mara as Ashley Smith
- Michael K. Williams as Detective John Chestnut
- Leonor Varela as Detective Carmen Sanchez
- Jessica Oyelowo as Meredith MacKenzie
- Mimi Rogers as Kim Rogers
- Matt Lowe as Randy
- E. Roger Mitchell as Sergeant Teasley
- Bill Bennett as Sheriff Walters
- Scott Parks as Officer Henderson
- J. Karen Thomas as Mrs. Nichols
- Fred Galle as Atlanta Police Officer Boltbee
- Elle Graham as Paige
- Johanna Jowett as Cameron Sampson
- Claudia Church as Melissa
- Michael Harding as Commander Bradley Simpson
- William Boyer as Sniper
- Sydelle Noel as Lynn Campbell
Production
Development
On October 15, 2013, David Oyelowo and Kate Mara joined the thriller Captive based on the true story of Brian Nichols, who escapes from the courthouse in Atlanta on March 11, 2005, murdering the judge, a court reporter, and a sheriff's deputy.[4] Later, he takes Ashley Smith hostage at her own house.[4] BN Films set Jerry Jameson to direct the film, which was adapted by Brian Bird and Reinhard Denke, based on the Smith's non-fiction Unlikely Angel.[4] Alex Garcia, Lucas Akoskin, Terry Botwick, Oyelowo and Ken Wales would be producing the film through Brightside Entertainment, 1019 Entertainment and Yoruba Saxon Productions.[4] Oyelowo was set to play Nichols, Mara to play Smith, while Leonor Varela and Mimi Rogers were also in the cast.[4] Michael K. Williams joined the film's cast on October 24, 2013 to play Detective John Chestnut.[5] Jessica Oyelowo's involvement was confirmed on March 16, 2015, along with Jameson and Katrina Wolfe as producers.[6]
Filming
Principal photography on the film began in October 2013 in North Carolina.[7]
Release
On March 16, 2015, Paramount Pictures acquired the worldwide distribution rights to the film and set the film for a September 18, 2015 release date.[6] On June 16, 2015, the first trailer for the film was released.[8]
Reception
Captive has received generally negative reviews from critics, although praise was given towards the lead actors' chemistry. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 26%, based on 47 reviews, with an average rating of 4.4/10. The site's consensus reads, "Captive undermines committed performances from Kate Mara and David Oyelowo – and the real-life story they're dramatizing – with a thin script doubling as an ad for a self-help book."[9] On Metacritic the film has a score of 37 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[10]
References
- ^ "CAPTIVE (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. August 19, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
- ^ Pamela McClintock (September 16, 2015). "Box-Office Preview: 'Maze Runner: Scorch Trials' Hopes to Sprint Past 'Black Mass'". The Hollywood Reporter. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Captive (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Kit, Borys (October 15, 2013). "David Oyelowo, Kate Mara to Star in True-Life Thriller Captive (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (October 24, 2013). "Boardwalk Empire's Michael K. Williams Gets Captive". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (March 16, 2015). "Captive Starring David Oyelowo & Kate Mara Acquired By Paramount". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ "Captive Feature Film Starring Kate Mara and David Oyelowo Casting Call for Extras in North Carolina". ProjectCasting.com. October 20, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ Robinson, Will. "Captive trailer: David Oyelowo holds Kate Mara hostage". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ "Captive". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
- ^ "Captive". Metacritic. Metacritic. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
External links
- Official website
- Captive at IMDb
- Captive at Box Office Mojo
- Captive at Rotten Tomatoes
- Captive at Metacritic
- Captive at History vs. Hollywood
- 2015 films
- American films
- English-language films
- 2010s crime films
- 2010s crime drama films
- 2010s crime thriller films
- American crime films
- American crime drama films
- American crime thriller films
- American thriller drama films
- Biographical films about criminals
- Crime films based on actual events
- Drama films based on actual events
- Films about abduction
- Films about domestic violence
- Films about rape
- Films about drugs
- Films about Christianity
- Films about religion
- Films based on non-fiction books
- Films directed by Jerry Jameson
- Films set in Atlanta
- Films set in 2005
- Films set in the 21st century
- Films shot in North Carolina
- Hostage dramas
- Prison films
- Thriller films based on actual events
- True crime films