City by the Sea

source: City by the Sea

If this movie was a gas, it would be inert. Although "inspired by a true story", it's not all that truthful. However, that does not distract from the picture. What matters is that the "action/thriller/drama" contains very little of anything. This is not even a passable "popcorner". It is, however, OK to use as background noise if you are doing some ironing, or tidying up around the home. DeNiro has done so much better, it is a shame to see this trite, flat, boring waste of film stock. Too, it is difficult to see how bad DeNiro is physically. He had to wear a heavily-padded suit to portray Al Capone. He was in top shape for "Heat". Now, he's a puffy, overweight, pasty blob. He and Steven Seagal ought to get a discount membership at Weight Watchers. While living in Shanghai, China, I picked up a copy of the movie for the equivalent of $1.15 - I want my money back.

I found this film to have very redeeming qualities. The import of the movie is that of a strong father son relationship. It reminded me of the movie, "The Road To Perdition". That very strong bond remains as a human quality that is so well defined in the emotional portrayals by the actors. Perhaps, it is better seen on screen than read about in novels. I liked this film and gave it an 8.

I just got back from this movie and I had to let people know...this is the worst film I have seen in a long time. The "acting" (if you can call it that), especially by DeNiro and McDormand is flat. The dialog is such a joke that the audience broke into laughter at one of most "dramatic" moments (during the scene in DeNiro's apartment with his new-found grandchild), DeNiro plays his character as one who seemingly has the intelligence of cotton ball. I could go on, but this movie doesn't deserve that much time. If ever there was a case for a refund at a theater, "City by the Sea" would be on the top of the evidence list.

I love this movie. It certainly is underrated. I'm so disappointed that more people don't know about it. I recommend it to everyone that I talk with about movies. The acting is incredible, the story is well-written, the characters are well-developed. I'm not a fan of drama at all, but I like Robert De Niro -- I went to the theater thinking that this was going to be an excellent action cop movie - De Niro as a NYC cop - what could be better! Again, I'm not a fan of drama, but I was absolutely glued to the screen. I've seen it many times now, and am as intrigued each time as I was the first.

CITY BY THE SEA (2002) ** Robert De Niro, James Franco, Frances McDormand, George Dzundza, Eliza Dushku, William Forsythe, Brian Tarantina. Pedestrian ‘true life' account of a NYC police lieutenant (De Niro, sleepwalking his way in yet another mediocre film) investigating the murder of a drug dealer with the main suspect his estranged junkie son (Franco who deserves a better shot at the big time than his one note character here). Although based on Mike McAlary's `Esquire' article (he adapted the screenplay with Ken Hixon) only adds insult to injury in that not once do you find any ounce of suspense nor concern for any of the paper-thin characters displayed. Shot on location in Asbury Park, NJ substituting for Long Island. Shoddy all around. (Dir: Michael Caton-Jones)

This medium Robert De Niro film opens with 50's footage from Coney Island. We get to see the beach in the summertime with lots of happy people. After the opening titles we see Coney Island in autumn. The weather is gray and the atmosphere is depressing. The latest pretty much sums up the rest of this crime drama about a cop who's father was executed for killing a child and who son is wanted for murder. The story is original enough and the acting isn't bad. Especially William Forsythe, who is playing the role of the drug dealer Spyder is excellent. Although all the great acting and hole less plot, the story sometimes moves too slow. The love story between Robert De Niro and Frances McDormand is not good enough, and her character could easily be cut from the script. Her acting is also the weakest in this movie.

The movie was sort of mediocre, but it is worth watching I think. It is mediocre because it is highly predictable. It has good things, though. The movie lifted from sort-of-bad to OK because of its great acting. DeNiro has done his share of great acting and his share of not-so-great acting (or at least not-so-great movies), but he is extremely good in this movie. DeNiro, McDormand, and Franco are all very good in the movie...all three of them are usually good anyway, but I think they were all at their best here. The movie itself is not particularly "beautiful to watch", or something with "superb editing", but it has a good story. The big error of this movie I thought was pacing. The near-middle of the movie is almost worthless. You could watch the first ten mins. of the movie, sleep the next 45, and then watch the last hour, and you'll be missing nothing.

Initially, I wasn't about to make a comment but after reading the undeserved scathing attack made on this film by some people, I felt compelled to defend it. I thought this film was worth watching for brilliant acting alone. James Franco and Robert De Niro went head to head for vigour, heart and style to showcase their talent. It's not that bad a script and I don't know what people were expecting. Perhaps the lack of special effects and explosions have quelled the little attention some have paid whilst viewing it. Maybe they went into a different cinema and saw the wrong film?

This movie was simply amazing! This movie remains my favorite one. I love how the movie didn't have the happiest ending because in made it more believable and everyone did such a great job of acting in this movie. James Franco fit the role so perfectly. Just everything about him was fit for this role. Yes it is a dark movie but I think a lot of people will like it because it is just so intense and it pulls you in and keeps you there. You keep wanting to see what happens and if any more trouble will occur. Basically the story line was good the actors were amazing, the setting costumes and every other aspect was great, and there were many parts of the movie i didn't see coming. So everyone go out and see it. You won't regret it.