REACTION PAPER

I. THE NEGOTIATOR 1998

II. Characters of the Main Character: Danny Roman (played by Samuel L. Jackson)

- Supporting Character: Chris Sabian (played by Kevin Spacey)

- Antagonist: Terence Niebaum (played by J.T. Walsh)

- Adam Beck (played by David Morse)

- Karen Roman (played by Taylor)

- Grant Frost ( played by Ron Rifkin)

- Cale Wangro ( played by Robert David Hall)

- Chief Al Travis ( played by John Spencer)

- Chief’s Wife ( played by Lauri Johnson)

III. Facts of the case

In the 1998 movie "The Negotiator," the plot revolves around a skilled hostage negotiator named Danny
Roman, played by Samuel L. Jackson. After being framed for a crime he didn't commit, Roman takes
hostages within a government building and demands to speak to another negotiator, played by Kevin
Spacey. The film delves into themes of betrayal, trust, and the lengths to which individuals will go to
uncover the truth.

IV. Application of the initial stages of hostage negotiation

a. Assess the situation

In "The Negotiator," the situation is intense and fast-paced. The main character, Danny Roman,
finds himself in a high-stakes scenario after being framed for a crime. He takes hostages within a
government building and demands to speak to another negotiator in an attempt to clear his
name and uncover the truth. The situation is fraught with tension, distrust, and danger, as both
Roman and the authorities navigate through a complex web of deception and ulterior motives.
The movie keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as the characters navigate through the high-
pressure environment of hostage negotiation while also dealing with internal and external
threats.
b. Immediate corrective action
In the 1998 movie "The Negotiator," the immediate corrective action taken by the main
character, Chris Sabian, is to take extreme measures to prove his innocence and to uncover the
truth behind the conspiracy that has led to his being framed. He uses his negotiating skills and
resourcefulness to gather evidence and confront those responsible for setting him up. The
 movie is a thrilling action-packed drama that showcases the protagonist's determination and
intelligence in navigating a high-stakes situation.
c. Listen and observe
In "The Negotiator" (1998), the protagonist, Chris Sabian, uses active listening and keen
observation to gather information and uncover the truth. He carefully analyzes the behavior and
statements of the people around him, utilizing his skills as a negotiator to deduce motives and
intentions. Through this, he gains valuable insights that help him navigate the complex web of
deception and corruption that he finds himself trapped within. These traits are crucial to his
character and the progression of the film's suspenseful plot.
d. Employ crisis defusion technique
In "The Negotiator" (1998), the main character, Chris Sabian, employs crisis defusion techniques
throughout the film. As a skilled negotiator, he uses a combination of active listening, empathy,
and tactical communication to de-escalate tense situations and diffuse crises. His ability to stay
composed under pressure and communicate effectively is pivotal in preventing volatile standoffs
and maintaining control in high-stress environments.
e. Follow up
Following up on his defusion techniques, Chris Sabian uses his understanding of human behavior
and the dynamics of conflict to navigate through the intricate web of deception and corruption,
gradually unveiling the truth behind the conspiracy that has ensnared him. His strategic follow-
ups and persistent investigation ultimately lead to the unraveling of the complex plot and the
resolution of the intense conflict at the heart of the movie.

V. Application of the major activities in managing hostage taking

The Negotiator" (1998) is a thriller film that depicts a tense hostage situation with complex negotiation
tactics. It stars Samuel L. Jackson as Lieutenant Danny Roman, a police negotiator wrongly accused of
corruption and murder, who takes hostages in a desperate bid to clear his name, and Kevin Spacey as
Chris Sabian, an expert negotiator brought in to manage the situation.

Here are several major activities in hostage situations as depicted in the movie that align with real-world
crisis negotiation strategies:

1. **Establishing Communication**: One of the first steps in any hostage situation is establishing a line
of communication between the negotiator and the hostage-taker. In the film, Chris Sabian is brought in
to communicate with Danny Roman.

2. **Gathering Intelligence**: Throughout the movie, the negotiators and the command team gather
information about the hostage-taker, the hostages, and the circumstances of the situation. This includes
understanding Roman's motives and demands, his background, and any other pertinent information
that could help in resolving the crisis.

3. **Building Rapport**: In the movie, Chris Sabian attempts to build rapport with Roman. This helps
create a connection and trust between the negotiator and the hostage-taker, which is essential in real-
life hostage negotiations for facilitating a peaceful resolution.
4. **Containment**: The police work on containing the situation to prevent it from escalating. This
involves securing the area, establishing perimeters, and making sure that the hostage-taker and
hostages remain in a controlled environment.

5. **Demand Assessment**: The negotiators assess the reasonableness and feasibility osituation the
demands made by Danny Roman. A key negotiation tactic is understanding what the hostage-taker truly
wants and determining which demands can and cannot be met.

6. **Time Management**: As seen in the movie, time can be a powerful tool in negotiations. The
negotiators use time to their advantage, often trying to prolong negotiations to wear down the hostage-
taker and to buy time for intelligence-gathering and strategy planning.

VI. Priorities in hostage situation

The movie "The Negotiator" (1998) is about a hostage situation in which a police negotiator must use his
skills to save the lives of the hostages and the police officers involved.The movie is a good example of
how priorities can change in a hostage situation.In the beginning of the movie, the priority is to save the
hostages.

VII. Handling the demands

As the situation progresses, it becomes clear that the police officers are also in danger.The negotiator
must then decide how to balance the priorities of saving the hostages and saving the police officers.The
movie is a good example of how the demands of a hostage situation can change and how negotiators
must be able to adapt to those changes.

VIII. Factors affecting the duration of the crisis situation in hostage taking

Theduration of the crisis situation in the movie is affected by a number of factors, including the
following:

* The type of hostage situation: A hostage situation involving a single hostage is likely to be resolved
more quickly than a hostage situation involving multiple hostages.

*The number of hostages: The more hostages there are, the more difficult it will be for the negotiator to
resolve the situation.

*The demands of the hostage taker: The more extreme the demands of the hostage taker, the more
difficult it will be for the negotiator to resolve the situation.

*The relationship between the hostage taker and the hostages: If the hostage taker has a personal
relationship with the hostages, it is more likely that the situation will be resolved peacefully.

*The presence of law enforcement: The presence of law enforcement can make it more difficult for the
negotiator to resolve the situation.
*The media coverage of the situation: Media coverage can make it more difficult for the negotiator to
resolve the situation.

Theduration of the crisis situation in a hostage situation is a critical factor in determining the outcome of
the situation.The longer the situation lasts, the more likely it is that there will be injuries or deaths.The
negotiator must be aware of the factors that can affect the duration of the situation and must use their
skills to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

IX. Effects of Time negotiation

In the movie "The Negotiator" (1998), time negotiation plays a crucial role in various ways. As a
negotiator, protagonist Danny Roman uses time as a bargaining tool, often creating pressure by
manipulating the pacing of negotiations. Additionally, time negotiating is utilized to keep the tension
high throughout the film. This technique is commonly employed in real-life hostage negotiation
scenarios as well

X. Findings and conclusion

The 1998 movie "The Negotiator" follows a skilled negotiator, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who takes
hostages in order to prove his innocence after he is falsely accused of a crime. The movie explores
themes of trust, manipulation, and the tension between law enforcement and the justice system. In
terms of findings and conclusions, one could argue that the film highlights the complexity of human
behavior and the ways in which individuals navigate power dynamics in high-stakes situations. The
conclusion of the movie could be interpreted as a commentary on the flaws within the justice system
and the resilience of those who are willing to fight for what they believe is right. Ultimately, the
interpretation of the findings and conclusions of "The Negotiator" may vary depending on individual
perspectives and experiences.

XII. Recommendation

THE NEGOTIATOR is a tense, well-written and well-acted police thriller that breaks new ground in terms
of its engaging portrayal of human drama and conflict. Regrettably, it also breaks some new ground in its
use of foul language and moral relativism. Although the two main heroes played by Jackson and Spacey
act morally much of the time, they each take at least two morally questionable actions. For instance,
Roman takes hostages to prove his innocence and threatens people so that his fellow officers will really
think he has gone over the edge. Such an action sends the pagan message that "the ends justifies the
means." THE NEGOTIATOR also includes an excessive amount of foul language, even for an R-rated
movie. Both these problems stain an otherwise uplifting, intelligent thriller.
 REACTION
PAPER IN FILM
SHOWING

Submitted by: Maming Loriewen D.

Submitted to: