Aug. 1, 1998 -- "The Negotiator" is a slightly different take on the old movie theme of a framed cop fighting against corruption in high places on the force to clear his name. From "Serpico" to "L.A. Confidential," last year's best film, there have been numerous movies on the subject, but seldom is one so deftly handled as this one is.

Samuel L. Jackson plays police hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who is framed for the murder of his friend. The planted evidence is so convincing that Roman's lawyer tells him he'd better make a deal. Pushed into a corner, he takes hostages in the internal affairs division of the police building in a desperate attempt to use his negotiation skills to buy time so he can get to the bottom of who is behind the frame-up.

Roman maneuvers the police into allowing him to negotiate with another police negotiator he thinks he can trust, Chris Sabian, (played by Oscar winner Kevin Spacey). The two face off in a memorable battle of wits and skill as Jackson and his hostages race the clock to find out the truth.

Jackson and Spacey are both great actors and they are at the top of their form in this movie. They play intelligent characters caught up in a game of life and death. The script, by James DeMonaco and Kevin Fox is loaded with complexity and good dialog. While many situations strain credulity because the plot takes no real risks and steers clear of real moral dilemmas, I was still willing to suspend my disbelief and enjoy the ride, up to a point. This film rates a B.

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