Mercury Rising Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Bruce Willis babysits a puzzle-solving kid while battling a government that really, really hates Sudoku.

🍿 Mercury Rising: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening Hostage Situation

FBI Agent Art Jeffries is undercover during a bank robbery involving a local militia. His priority is to protect a young boy, James, held hostage. The situation escalates, resulting in a shootout where the robbers and James are killed. Jeffries confronts his superiors, leading to his demotion.

The ‘Mercury’ Code is Cracked

The NSA’s supposedly unbreakable ‘Mercury’ code, designed to protect top-secret information, is secretly placed in a puzzle magazine as a test by two of its creators. Simon Lynch, a nine-year-old autistic savant with a gift for puzzles, deciphers the code and calls the NSA. This alarms Lt. Colonel Nicholas Kudrow, the program chief.

A Deadly Cover-Up Begins

Kudrow views Simon’s ability to break the code as a major liability. He orders the termination of Simon and his parents to prevent the code’s exposure. A hitman murders Simon’s parents but fails to find Simon himself, fleeing the scene as police sirens approach.

Jeffries Takes on Protection Duty

Jeffries, now demoted, is assigned to investigate the apparent murder-suicide. He discovers Simon hiding in a secret compartment and realizes something is amiss. Jeffries takes Simon under his protection, beginning a dangerous journey to uncover the truth and protect the boy from the pursuing assassins.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Art Jeffries (Bruce Willis): A disgraced FBI agent, haunted by a past failure, becomes determined to protect an autistic boy from government assassins.
• Simon Lynch (Miko Hughes): A nine-year-old autistic savant who unknowingly cracks a top-secret government code, making him a target.
• Nick Kudrow (Alec Baldwin): The ruthless NSA program chief who orders the termination of Simon to protect the ‘Mercury’ code.
• Tommy B. Jordan (Chi McBride): Art’s loyal friend and fellow FBI agent who helps him uncover the conspiracy and protect Simon.
• Peter Burrell (Lindsey Ginter): The cold and efficient hitman tasked by Kudrow with eliminating Simon and anyone connected to the code.
• Stacey (Kim Dickens): A kind coffee shop patron who becomes an unlikely ally to Art and Simon.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nick Kudrow: “I asked you not to handle the wine, please!” – Kudrow expresses his frustration with Art’s disrespect for his possessions during a tense confrontation.
• Art Jeffries: “You know, it’s good to see you’ve got your priorities in order. You’re not worried about murdering a nine year-old boy but you’re worried about this fuckin’ wine!” – Art sarcastically calls out Kudrow’s misplaced concerns during their confrontational scene.
• Art Jeffries: “That’s better. You’re not worried about murdering a nine year-old boy but you’re worried about this fuckin’ wine!” – Art sarcastically calls out Kudrow’s misplaced concerns during their confrontational scene.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $32,935,289
• Worldwide Gross: $93,107,289

💥 Mercury Rising Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this movie as a kid, and it really stuck with me. Miko Hughes’ performance was so believable and heartbreaking. I also loved Bruce Willis in it, he really showed that he’s more than just an action star. The scene where Simon’s parents die really shocked me and the ending was heartwarming. Despite its flaws, I always felt there was something special about this movie.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Bruce Willis action thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about government conspiracies”
  • “Those looking for a suspenseful movie with a touch of heartwarming moments”
  • “People interested in movies that portray characters with autism (keeping in mind portrayals may be dated)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and action sequences”
  • “Murder and threat to a child’s life”
  • “Some disturbing content that may not be suitable for young children”
  • “Thematic elements of government cover-up and corruption”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• Chicago Sun-Times: “While the plot stretches credulity, Willis and Hughes develop a touching rapport. Baldwin is suitably menacing, but the film ultimately relies on familiar thriller tropes. It’s a decent popcorn flick, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking.
• Variety: “Mercury Rising is a routine thriller elevated by solid performances. Willis brings his usual blue-collar charisma, while Hughes delivers a surprisingly nuanced portrayal of an autistic child. The film struggles with pacing and a predictable plot, but it remains watchable.
• Empire Magazine: “A competent but unremarkable thriller. Mercury Rising benefits from the chemistry between Willis and Hughes and Alec Baldwin’s chilling performance. However, the storyline is far-fetched and relies on tired action movie clichés.

Audience Reactions

Miko Hughes’ performance as Simon was incredibly convincing and touching.: The chemistry between Bruce Willis and Miko Hughes was genuine and made the movie work.

The suspense kept viewers on the edge of their seats, despite some plot holes.: Many appreciated the movie for its thrilling moments and action sequences.

Overall Consensus: Mercury Rising is a flawed but entertaining thriller carried by strong performances, particularly from Miko Hughes. Some viewers found the plot unbelievable, but the emotional connection between the lead characters resonated with many.

Awards

1. Young Artist Awards (Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actor)- 1999

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Miko Hughes spent time with many autistic children at a special school to understand how to portray an autistic child.”
• “Bennett Leventhal, head of the child psychiatry department at the University of Chicago, spent six weeks before the shoot tutoring Hughes at a school for autistic children.”
• “The original working title for the film was ‘Mercury Falling’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mercury Rising?

Mercury Rising is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming options. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) are also available for purchase online through retailers like Amazon and major movie stores. Prices may vary depending on the platform and region. Some cable providers may also offer it on-demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mercury Rising, you might like these similar films:

• The Negotiator (1998): Features a rogue law enforcement officer battling corrupt elements within their own agency.
• Sneakers (1992): Deals with codebreaking and government secrets, with a less serious tone.
• Firewall (2006): A security specialist must protect his family from criminals who are after his highly sensitive computer code.
• Enemy of the State (1998): A man is targeted by corrupt government agents who want him silenced.

🛒 Mercury Rising Related Products

• The Films of Bruce Willis: From Die Hard to The Sixth Sense: Explore Bruce Willis’s career from his action-packed roles to his dramatic performances in this detailed biography. This book goes into detail about all aspects of Willis’ roles and is a must have for any fan.
• Autism Awareness Puzzle Piece Keychain: Show your support for autism awareness with this beautifully designed keychain, featuring the iconic puzzle piece symbol. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to spread awareness and acceptance.
• Brain Games – Criminal Mind Puzzles: Solve Killer Conundrums and Bank Robbery Brainteasers: Test your code-breaking skills with this collection of puzzles and brainteasers inspired by espionage and crime-solving. With puzzles like these, you’ll be a code breaker in no time!
• ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game: Challenge your spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills with this fun and engaging marble run game. Its colorful design and stimulating challenges make it a great gift.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mercury Rising features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Evil (Is Going On)” – performed by KoKo Taylor
• “Main Title” – performed by John Barry
• “Mercury Rising End Title” – performed by John Barry

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

MercuryRising

Ever wondered if the movie ‘Mercury Rising’ accurately portrays autism? This video breaks down some of the stereotypes presented in the film. It’s really interesting to see which portrayals hold up and which are a bit off the mark!

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