The Taking of Pelham 123
by Patrick Green
Director Tony Scott’s remake of the 1974 classic THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 presents an outstanding update. Pelham includes lead performances by Denzel Washington and John Travolta. The notable supporting cast includes Michael Rispoli, Luis Guzman, John Turturro, and James Gandolfini. The film is set-in present-day New York City and could not have been done as effectively in any other location. As New York City is the largest mass transit system in the United States, Pelham’s setting stays true to form. New York’s mass of skyscrapers provided the perfect location for a big city feel and complimented the film’s aerial scenes. Scott is known for his wide-angle photography and clever captions. The Big Apple’s unique feel made the film fully alive with bustling activity and tension.
THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 tells the story of Walter Garber, played by Denzel Washington, a disgraced and demoted Metro Transit Authority dispatcher. Garber works the command desk while languishing under the weight of a bribery investigation. Garber’s life takes a dramatic turn one day when he receives a hostage taker’s call demanding $10,000,000 in one hour. If the money is not received in one hour, the hijacked Pelham 123 train will see passengers executed at the rate of one per minute past deadline. John Travolta plays, Ryder, the head honcho of a group of hijackers who will stop at nothing to receive the payout and leave town.
The bulk of THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 contains dialogue scenes between Washington and Travolta’s characters. The film’s script is top notch and contains a lot of pervasive language. In some films, this weighs down the script and does not advance the story. In Pelham, it enhances the weight and severity of the situation. Travolta convincingly plays the lead hijacker who has little to no regard for human life. His desire to seek revenge, based on a seemingly hidden agenda, trumps all concerns. He views Washington’s Garber as a kindred spirit and the only one in the situation who shares some of his world views regarding the struggle to survive against the odds. Washington effectively plays the role of empathetic listener and de facto liaison and negotiator. Although disrespected at most every turn by his supervisor, played by Michael Rispoli, Washington keeps a cool head in the midst of crisis.
Pelham’s supporting cast deserves honorable mention. Luis Guzman, who is in almost everything these days, serves as Travolta’s assistant hijacker. Guzman reluctantly goes along with some of the crews’ decisions and provides some levity in the situation. It would have been nice if Guzman had a larger role in this film. John Turturro is also highly effective as the formal hostage negotiator and facilitator for the money drop. He assists Washington in the intense dialogue with Travolta and his strategy to minimize the loss of human life. Turturro is the consummate professional in THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123. Finally, James Gandolfini plays the mayor of New York with a significant story arc. He is the most critical player in getting the ransom money to the hijacking scene within the almost unreasonable deadline. He also provides some comic relief in an otherwise serious R-rated adult drama.
Pelham is an excellent summer film release. It is not much of a popcorn blockbuster film and never takes itself too seriously. The film’s focus is on the dialogue between Washington and Travolta. The result of those discussions determines the lifespan of the hostages involved. Although some may be skeptical about Travolta playing a real bad guy, his performance removes all doubt. There is never a question as to whether Washington can perform any role: it is almost a mathematical certainty.
