The Siege (1998)

Dir Edward Zwick

Written by Edward Zwick, Menno Meyjez, Lawrence Wright

Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Bruce Willis, Tony Shalhoub, Sami Bouajila, David Proval, Mark Valley, Lance Reddick.

In New York City (in a pre 9/11), a series of terrorist attacks are occurring, due to America’s holding of known terrorist bomber. FBI agents Anthony ‘Hub’ Hubbard (Washington) and Frank Haddad (Shalhoub) are the lead investigators, and are joined by CIA agent Elise Kraft (Bening). As the terrorist activities continue to grow in their devastation, US Army General Devereaux (Willis) is given the order of Marshal Law – and takes matters into his own hands.

Pretty confronting film, especially due to the events that occurred in NYC just a few years after the film. All the cast do a great job, and work well together. Washington, as always in on point as Hub, and delivers a stellar performance. His on screen partner, Frank (pre Monk Shalhoub) has a more personal performance as his character is Muslim, and there is conflict between his race/heritage and the US Army.

Bening’s Elise has a mid-movie ‘plot point’ that is addressed once and then never again – and felt redundant – otherwise she is sound as one of the only female cast members, and lead. Willis, who was in his prime here, feels a little underused as the General, who begs the President not to declare Martial Law, but when it is – does unspeakable things to serve his country.

I can only imagine this film would have lost the little popularity it had after the events of 9/11, and therefore it should be watched with the understanding that this film lives in an era before it. It is watchable, but it is delicate subject matter.

The pacing is fine, and feels evenly spaced; with a screenplay that feels strong enough to deliver the message that it wanted to deliver. There is also a decent score that underplays during primary events that occur throughout the film.

3.5/5