Kidnapping is big business. So too, it would seem, is the antipodal K&R -- kidnap and ransom -- consultancies.

Once idealistic Marxists supported by Moscow, a guerilla group forced by the ending of the cold war to seek finances elsewhere, turn to drugs and kidnapping to support their goals in a relatively lawless country. But as leaders got rich off the easy pickings, idealism went out the proverbial window.

Ready cash from the ever-rich west kept the drug money flowing while the global expansion of resource-hungry capitalists delivered valuable fat-dumb-and-happy westerners ready for the picking to the lucrative kidnap trade.

Loosely based on a true story, Proof of Life narrates a tale of survival quite unlike Castaway.

Peter Bowman (Morse) is an otherwise humble employee of an American oil company searching for its lucky strike in the jungles of South America when he finds himself, quite by accident, at the wrong end of a rifle, on the wrong side of town.

Taken to the hills, in the time-honoured way of such things, the long journey home begins in earnest for his family left behind in an unfriendly town and an unfriendly corporate environment.

Terry Thorne (Crowe) is a K&R consultant – easy spoken, calm, businesslike. The well-cut suit hides a body, however, honed by years of dedicated service to Her Majesty, first at Swanbourne and later Herriford.

For Peter’s wife Alicia (Ryan), trust is the key. Trust in Terry and trust in his experience.

Long months of nerve-wracking waiting, tireless negotiations and tantalising proofs of life amount to little as, eventually, a lucky break delivers proof of where Peter and another victim are located and a decision to take decisive action is made.

Proof of Life (unfortunately) delivers, through its middle expanse, a hint of the boredom inherent in a long wait. Which is a shame really, because otherwise it is a pretty good flick. The opening sequences where Terry single-handedly takes on a large part of the Russia Army in Chechnya sets the mood for a big climax. The breathtaking scenery and brilliant cinematography in the interim, does however, prevent our attention slipping too far off track.

I must agree with the director that his reported decision to cut a filmed love scene between Russell and Meg was an inspired one. One simple kiss heightened that particular tension and left us hanging. Perhaps that’s why American audiences are reported to be none too enamoured with this work – we all know how they like their loose ends tied off neatly. Three out of five.

Check out the official Proof of Life website.