Mad City is a 1997 drama and thriller film written by Tom Matthews and Eric Williams, directed by Costa Gavras, and starring John Travolta, Dustin Hoffman, Mia Kirshner, Alan Alda, Blythe Danner, Ted Levine, Raymond J. Barry, and Larry King.

Plot

The film is about Sam Baily (Travolta) who gets laid off from his job as a museum security guard, taking his boss and children on a school field trip as hostages within the museum. Journalist Max Brackett (Hoffman), is in the museum using the restroom after an interview with the museum curator about financial difficulties, and becomes involved in the story. Sam ends up accidentially shooting his ex-work partner, sending him to the hospital. Brackett, along with the young intern, Laurie (Kirshner), are first to report on the story. Brackett manipulates the situation to grow his career, while Sam only acts out of a want to help his wife and two children.