City by the Sea (2001)
Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Another year, another De Niro cop flick. A murder case leads veteran detective Vincent LaMarca back to his home town, a rundown Long Island resort. But when Joey, his estranged junkie son (Franco), emerges as chief suspect, Vincent must address his dark family history. Decades earlier, his father was executed for murder. This comes as shocking news to on-off girlfriend Michelle (McDormand, wasted), and adds a tragic dimension to his pursuit of his wayward offspring. Though based on a true story, the film takes some drastic liberties with the facts. The details of Joey's crime have been radically softened, while the real Vincent was retired from the force and played little part in the manhunt. This air of phoniness permeates all aspects of the production. With pretty boy Franco flashing his painfully gaunt cheekbones, the film veers closer to heroin chic than to the genuinely harrowing territory of, say, Aronofsky's take on Hubert Selby's Requiem for a Dream.Author: NY
Cast & crew
Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Producer: Brad Grey, Elie Samaha, Michael Caton-Jones, Matthew Baer
Cast: Robert De Niro, Frances McDormand, James Franco, Eliza Dushku, William Forsythe, Patti LuPone, Anson Mount, John Doman, George Dzundza full cast
Genre(s): Thrillers
Duration: 108 mins
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