Witness Protection (1999)

Wow! Such a good movie.

Touches You

Excellent but underrated film

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

this is a pretty decent movie about a mob turncoat going into the Wiess Protection Program. it shows the effects of what happens to you're life and how it disintegrates immediately not just for you but for you're whole entire family,, Sizemore is our Mob informer, his wife in the movie, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is great in here, Forrest Whitaker gives a good performance as well. there is lot's of tension in the movie as the plot keeps moving right along till it's inevitable conclusion,, unlike other mob movies this one doesn't harp on the ,, hey you sold me down the river and i'm gonna kill you thing, not a lot of mobsters per say in the movie at all,, it's just a pretty decent movie that shows what really happens when you enter the world of the Witness Protection Program.

Witness Protection is a great film from HBO about a family that is forced to entered the witness protection program after their lives become endangered. However it is NOT what you might think, shootouts, narrow escapes, and a face off between mobster boss and betrayed loyal soldier, instead it is turned into a drama about a family disintegrating under the pressures of the situation they are in, and what an excellent drama it is ! The performances are all a knock out, in particular that of Mastroantonio, as the wife who stands by her man and whose life of luxury starts unraveling, this actress has a range that had never been exploited until now, her confrontation with her husband in the kitchen is to be remembered, she is so good that I am really upset about how many more roles she could play if only we had known. Sismore plays the mobster connected husband to perfection, his known ability to play sinister hoods is utilized to play a husband that keeps emotionally exploding as his life and family start to crumble. The actors playing their children are also in top form. The young child playing the daughter is amazing as a girl that is becoming traumatized on a daily basis by a stress filled environment. Finally there is Forrest Whitaker, his performance is fine for the role but again, Forrest is a monotone actor, he plays every character the same way, I never understood what the big hoo-ha-ha is about him, but in this role his demeanor is exactly what his role needs and it complements a movie that has absolutely no flaws. Kudos to the director for bringing out such performances from such unlikely actors. As someone here mentioned, I don't know why this film was not a theatrical release because it would have brought Oscar nominations for everyone involved, it is one of the best films of the year.

This is a very powerful made for television movie. Tom Sizemore is excellent as Bobby "Batts" Batton. The whole film takes place inside a facility that teaches families under the witness protection program to relocate and become new people. Overall satisfying, and never dull.

This is a movie which should be seen by anyone who thinks that the "witness protection" is a free ride for criminals. Very well done by everyone, it shows the gut wrenching changes that must be made by the "witness" and his/her family.Entertaining and disturbing it should be seen by all.