Man on Fire

Plot

In Mexico City, a former assassin swears vengeance on those who committed an unspeakable act against the family he was hired to protect.

Release Year: 2004

Rating: 7.7/10 (120,057 voted)

Critic's Score: 47/100

Director:
Tony Scott

Stars: Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Dakota Fanning

Storyline
A wave of kidnappings has swept through Mexico, feeding a growing sense of panic among its wealthier citizens, especially parents. In one six-day period, there were twenty-four abductions, leading many to hire bodyguards for their children. Into this world enters John Creasy, a burned-out ex-CIA operative/assassin, who has given up on life. Creasy's friend Rayburn brings him to Mexico City to be a bodyguard to nine-year-old Pita Ramos, daughter of industrialist Samuel Ramos and his wife Lisa. Creasy is not interested in being a bodyguard, especially to a youngster, but for lack of something better to do, he accepts the assignment. Creasy barely tolerates the precocious child and her pestering questions about him and his life. But slowly, she chips away at his seemingly impenetrable exterior, his defenses drop, and he opens up to her. Creasy's new-found purpose in life is shattered when Pita is kidnapped…

Writers: A.J. Quinnell, Brian Helgeland

Cast:

Denzel Washington
–

Creasy

Dakota Fanning
–

Pita

Marc Anthony
–

Samuel

Radha Mitchell
–

Lisa

Christopher Walken
–

Rayburn

Giancarlo Giannini
–

Manzano

Rachel Ticotin
–

Mariana

Jesús Ochoa
–

Fuentes

Mickey Rourke
–

Jordan

Angelina Peláez
–

Sister Anna

Gustavo Sánchez Parra
–

Daniel Sanchez

Gero Camilo
–

Aurelio Sanchez

Rosa María Hernández
–

Maria

Heriberto Del Castillo
–

Bruno

Mario Zaragoza
–

Jorge Ramirez

Taglines:
Forgiveness is between them and God…My job is to arrange the meeting.

Release Date: 23 April 2004

Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $70,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $22,751,490
(USA)
(25 April 2004)
(2979 Screens)

Gross: $77,862,546
(USA)
(15 August 2004)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

146 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

In A.J. Quinnell's novel Dakota Fanning's character in Italy was named Pinta. After director Tony Scott's changed the film's setting to Mexico and discovered that "Pinta" is Mexican slang for "whore", he had the name changed to "Pita" and made her full name Lupita.

Goofs:

Continuity:
Right before the kidnapping scene, when Creasy is putting the dog in the car, the shot shows the dog entering the car. In the next shot from a different angle, the dog is still outside and enters the car again.

Quotes:

Creasy:
Okay, my friend. It's off to the next life for you. I guarantee you, you won't be lonely.

User Review

Riveting viewing!

Rating: 10/10


Certainly one of the finest movies I have seen for quite some time.
Exquisite direction and flawless acting make this a very entertaining
and often moving film. Denzel Washington plays one of his most engaging
and emotional roles to date, and the rest of the cast perform
beautifully. Christopher Walken is of course superb in his part
although he did not appear as often as I would have liked. A story of
ultimate greed that backfires is offset against a childs innocence and
love. This is also a film for action movie lovers as it has its fair
share of bullets, rockets and revenge. The location of Mexico City adds
a feel of seediness and corruption which in itself is an eye opener.
All in all, a truly gripping film from beginning to end. Highly
recommended!