Man on Fire (2004 film)

Man on Fireis a 2004 Americanvigilanteactionthriller filmdirected and produced byTony Scott, with a screenplay byBrian Helgelandand co-produced byArnon Milchan.It is based on the 1980novel of the same namebyA. J. Quinnell. The film starsDenzel WashingtonandDakota Fanningin lead roles, alongsideChristopher Walken,Radha Mitchell,Giancarlo Giannini,Marc Anthony,Rachel TicotinandMickey Rourkein supporting roles. This adaptation shifts the setting fromNaples,Italy, toMexico City, diverging from the earlier1987 film versionof Quinnell's novel, which was also produced by Milchan.
The film follows a despondent, alcoholic formerCIAofficer-turned-bodyguard, who embarks on a violent revenge spree after a nine-year-old under his charge is kidnapped in Mexico City.
Man on Firewas released in the United States by20th Century Foxon April 23, 2004. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for Washington's performance and the film's intense action sequences; however, it was criticized for its graphic violence and pacing. It emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, grossing $130 million worldwide against a production budget of $60–70 million. Fanning's performances earned her nominations for theCritics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performerand theYoung Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actress in a Feature Film.Additionally, the film received 2 nominations at the36th NAACP Image Awards–Outstanding Motion PictureandOutstanding Actor in a Motion Picture(Washington).
In 2003, formerForce Recon MarineandCIASAD/SOGofficer John Creasy travels toMexicoto visit his old friend Paul Rayburn, who convinces him to take abodyguardposition with Samuel Ramos, a wealthy automaker. Samuel needs protection for his young daughter, Lupita "Pita" Ramos, due to a kidnapping insurance policy that requires a bodyguard to be in place.
Struggling withalcoholismand guilt from his past, Creasy initially contemplatessuicide, but a misfired gun prompts him to reconsider his fate. Revitalized by the thought that he is meant to live, he takes on his role as Pita's protector, reducing his drinking and finding solace in theBible. As he bonds with Pita, teaching her to swim, their relationship flourishes.
However, one day, while waiting outside Pita’s piano lesson, Creasy recognizes a car that has been following them. As two federal policemen block the street, he realizes Pita is about to be kidnapped. In the ensuing chaos, he engages the attackers, killing four but sustaining serious injuries while Pita is abducted. As authorities investigate, Creasy becomes a suspect, but reporter Mariana Garcia Guerrero questions the narrative.AFIagent Miguel Manzano relocates Creasy to aveterinary clinicto protect him from corrupt officials.
The kidnappers, led by the unseen "Voice", demand a $10 million ransom, which Samuel complies with, aided byPolice LieutenantVictor Fuentes. However, when the ransom drop is ambushed and the Voice's nephew is killed, the Voice threatens the Ramos family, stating Pita will be lost forever as retribution. Manzano warns Creasy about the powerful "brotherhood" involved, comprising corrupt officials and criminals, and Creasy vows to kill everyone connected to the kidnapping.
With Rayburn’s help, Creasy assembles anarsenaland begins his violent quest for revenge. He brutally interrogates the getaway driver for information, leading him to confront several kidnappers and recover incriminating evidence. Guerrero discovers Fuentes' involvement in the brotherhood, prompting her and Manzano to assist Creasy in his mission. Creasy's rampage intensifies as he confronts Fuentes, learning that Samuel's lawyer, Jordan Kalfus, orchestrated the kidnapping to claim insurance money.
Creasy arrives to confront Kalfus at his house but finds the lawyer'sbeheadedcorpse floating in the pool. Creasy then decides to confront Samuel about his involvement with the kidnapping and the ruse is revealed: Samuel and Kalfus agreed to orchestrate the kidnapping in order to pay off old debts belonging to the former's father, and while both expected Lupita to be safely returned by paying off the ransom with the remaining insurance money, the ambush by Fuentes caused the plan to collapse, with Samuel killing Kalfus in a rage. Despondent over this revelation, Creasy gives Samuel a gun and the bullet he once used in his suicide attempt, with Samuel killing himself as Creasy leaves.
Guerrero and Manzano trace the ransom money and uncover the Voice's identity. Creasy captures the Voice’s brother and learns that the ringleader's real name is Daniel Sanchez. They arrange an exchange for Pita, and during the meeting, Creasy, injured but determined, reassures Pita of his love before she is sent to safety. As Creasy is taken away to the Brotherhood, he dies of his injuries en route; within the same day, Manzano executes the Voice during the latter's arrest.
In an alternate ending, Creasy survives his injuries and confronts the Voice in his office. After a tense verbal exchange, he kills both himself and the Voice in asuicide bombing, mirroring Fuentes' earlier demise.
Other actors in the film include Rosa María Hernández as Maria Rosas Sanchez; The Voice's wife,Charles Paraventias Jersey Boy, one of The Voice's accomplices; Mario Zaragoza as Jorge Gonzalez; a corrupt policeman and member of the "La Hermandad" syndicate,Carmen Salinasas the guardian,Gerardo Taracenaas Colon,Eduardo Yáñezas Fox, andItatí Cantoralas Evelyn.
Tony Scott, the film's director, initially attempted to adapt the1980 source novelbyA. J. Quinnellinto a film in 1983. Journalist Paul Davies speculated that film producers likely doubted Scott's capability to direct a project of this scale, given that his only directorial effort at the time was thesupernatural horror filmThe Hunger(1983), which would be his second film. The novel was later adapted byÉlie Chouraquiin his English-language debut, also titledMan on Fire(1987), featuringScott Glennas Creasy. This earlier adaptation, similar to the novel, was set inItaly, which was then a prominent center for kidnappings.
When a remake ofMan on Firewas first considered, producerArnon Milchan, who also produced the 1987 version, initially looked at directorsMichael BayandAntoine Fuquabefore reaching out toTony Scottto see if he was still interested.20th Century Foxintended for the film to remain set inItaly, with an early draft of the script taking place inNaples.However, Scott argued that if the setting remained in Italy, the film would need to be aperiod piece, as kidnappings had become increasingly rare there by the 2000s. Ultimately,Mexico Citywas chosen as the new setting due to its high kidnapping rate and other unspecified reasons.This shift resulted in changes to character names: Rika Balletto was renamed Lisa Martin Ramos, Pinta Balletto became Lupita "Pita" Ramos, and Ettore Balletto was changed to Samuel Ramos.
In adapting Quinnell's novel, screenwriterBrian Helgelandretained much of the original dialogue, a fact that Quinnell noted favorably after the film's release.The kidnappers in the film, brothers Daniel and Aurelio Sánchez, were allusions to the notorious "Ear Lopper brothers",Daniel and Aurelio Arizmendi Lopez, who were infamous for serial kidnappings and murders. Kevin Freese of theForeign Military Studies Officeremarked that this reference appeared to go unnoticed by much of the audience.
Henry Beanserved as an uncreditedscript doctorfor the film. Additionally, the name of Pita's dog, Sam, serves as a nod to her character's name in the 1987 film—Samantha "Sam" Balletto.
Robert De Nirowas initially offered the role of Creasy, andGene Hackmanwas also considered for the part.However,Tony Scottultimately castDenzel Washingtonin the role after they had previously collaborated on the action thriller filmCrimson Tide(1995).Marlon Brandowas originally the top choice to play Rayburn, having been Scott's first pick for the role of Creasy back in 1983.
Ricardo Darínwas offered the role of The Voice but declined the opportunity.
Scott cited the epic crime filmCity of God(2002) as a significant influence on the film's style, and he paid homage to that film by hiring actorsGero CamiloandCharles Paraventifor roles inMan on Fire.
Principal photographyforMan on Firetook place inMexico, primarily inMexico City,Ciudad Juárez, andPuebla. Interior scenes were filmed atEstudios Churubusco.Marcelo Ebrard, who was the Chief of Police for Mexico City at the time, served as a consultant to the producers, with the hope that the film would raise awareness about the ongoing issue of kidnappings in the region.
Man on Fireopened in the U.S. on April 23, 2004, in 2,980 theaters, grossing $22,751,490 during its opening weekend, with an average of $7,634 per theater, ranking #1 at the box-office. The film's widest release expanded to 2,986 theaters, ultimately earning $77,911,774 in North America and $52,381,940 internationally, for a total worldwide gross of $130,293,714 against a production budget of $60–70 million.Additionally, the film performed well in the U.S. home video market, generating over $123 million inDVDandVHSrentals and sales.
OnRotten Tomatoes,Man on Fireholds a rating of 39% based on 168 reviews, with an average rating of 5.30/10. The consensus notes that "Man on Fire's solid action and top-shelf cast are undone by a relentlessly grim story that gets harder to take the longer it goes on."OnMetacritic, the film has a score of 47 out of 100 based on 36 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews."However, audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film a grade of "A−" on a scale from A to F.
Paul Davies, a journalist, observed that the critical reception ofMan on Firein the United States was "somewhat less than kind," largely due to critics' disapproval of Creasy'svigilantism. Davies argued that "most critics missed" that Creasy does not take "sadistic pleasure" in his actions; instead, he kills to extract information and pursue those involved in Pita Ramos's kidnapping, aiming to avoid harming innocent parties.
A. J. Quinnell, the author of the original novel, had a favorable reception to this adaptation, particularly praising the film for incorporating many lines from the book.He noted that he typically dislikes film adaptations but felt the writers "did a good job withMan on Fire," and he loved the chemistry between Creasy and Pita. Quinnell expressed initial shock at Denzel Washington being cast as Creasy, stating, "When I first heard Denzel was playing the part of Creasy, I missed a couple of heartbeats," but ultimately commended Washington's performance, acknowledging the film's violence and the importance of portraying Creasy's anger effectively.
The cut "Smiling" from the soundtrack ofMan on Fire, composed and conducted byHarry Gregson-Williams, was adopted as the theme for several television commercials forOmegawatches from 2012 to 2013. The soundtrack, featuring 20 tracks, was released on July 27, 2004.
Additionally, the film prominently features music byNine Inch Nails, with lead singerTrent Reznorcredited as "Musical Consultant." The soundtrack includes six songs by Nine Inch Nails.
In 2005, a Hindi remake ofMan on Fire, titledEk Ajnabee, was directed byApoorva Lakhiaand starredAmitabh Bachchanin the lead role, renamed Suryaveer "Surya" Singh.Additionally, the film was also remade inTamilthat same year asAanai, featuringArjun Sarjain the lead role.