Where to watch Hostage for a Day
3 Stars
A suburban fakes his kidnapping in order to rid himself of his abusive wife – but when real kidnappers show up to collect the ransom, the police get involved with a thorough investigation.
John Candy’s passing didn’t affect me as much as the deaths of fellow stars of the era Chris Farley or Brandon Lee had. I’ve always enjoyed seeing the plus-sized comedian on-screen. His ability to momentarily liven up a movie, even for just a scene or two, was unmatched in the 1980s. It’s been nearly thirty years since Candy died, and only now am I catching up with his more obscure works. “Hostage for a Day” is one of the last completed projects from the talented funnyman. He took on the film’s directing duties and gave the lead to George Wendt.
“Hostage for a Day” relies on Wendt to carry the show, and he’s a good choice for the likable underdog husband of a gold-digging, social-climbing wife. The movie starts to lose its way in the last act when the situation and violence reach cartoon levels, but up to that point, “Hostage for a Day” is a charming, if minor, footnote in the film legacy of the late John Candy.
Directed by: John Candy
Written by: Kari Hildebrand, Robert David Crane, PJ Torokvei
Starring: George Wendt, John Vernon, Robin Duke