Perfectly Cooked Political Stew Nicely Served On The Silver Screen!
By ALAN SAMUEL
Shady politics and corrupt power plays are the order of the day in Broken City. Must see entertainment for all public officials, this EOne Entertainment releases is now sending shockwaves through the corridors of power at Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Cineplex Odeon Theatres around B.C.
Set in New York, though any city could be substituted, Broken City is a film whose title aptly describes the thrust of it’s 109 minute running time. Politics can be a dirty business: the bigger the city the higher the stakes (stench). King of the town is flambouyant yet charming Mayor Hostetler and his fetching wife Cathleen. Suitably playing the in your face first family are Australian born hunk Russell Crowe and Welsh bombshell Catherine Zeta-Jones (Entrapment).
Power couples set off sparks both in front of the glaring press and behind the scenes. What goes on behind closed doors should stay private but a hint of sexual scandal develops forcing (?) the mayor to investigate. Hired to find the dirt on his good wife is one Billy Taggart. Whether Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter) is up to the challenge is part of the challenge in director Allen Hughes case study on corruption among the power elite.
Shady cops, political bagman and corrupt officials all come to a head in this well-acted but fairly standard drama that is bolstered by some unwieldy side turns. Add into the mix a heated political campaign spearhead by upstart councillor Jack Valliant and a relentless officer called Carl Fairbanks and sparks to do fly in this movie. Campbell River born Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan) and Jeffrey Wright (Quantum of Solace) further ramp up the intrigue in this racially charged movie that points to the pros and cons of being involved in governance in the modern big city world.
