Review of Broken City (2013) by Jeffrey J — 07 Jan 2014

I saw this over ten months ago ... and never got around to reviewing it as I forgot about it nearly as soon as it was over. That is how good it is. I was only reminded of this film a few days ago when going over a filmography of another respectable actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) who had costarred with Russell Crowe in another very forgettable flick (Body of Lies) a few years back.

As much as I like Crowe as an a actor -- A Beautiful Mind, Gladiator, L.A. Confidential -- I wondered why certain pairings with him created instantly forgettable films. It is a topic I will have to ponder elsewhere.

In Broken City, Mark Wahlberg (The Departed) plays ex-cop, Billy Taggart, who has been framed by the most corrupt individual in the city -- the mayor played by Crowe -- and wants both redemption and revenge for the position he finds himself in.

Taggert is fully aware that he isn't innocent of his actions but he doesn't believe another should get off scot free simply because he has taken the fall for some none-stand-up guys. Taggart's streetwise intelligence and no-nonsense demeanor spells trouble for the wicked mayor who is also facing some problems on the homefront with an unhappy, high-profile wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones - Chicago).

I know that I did not hate the film when I watched it ... because I finished it; but it simply didn't remain with me long after watching it. There is nothing overly memorable here ... even with a great cast that also includes Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan), Kyle Chandler (Zero Dark Thirty) and Jeffrey Wright (Basquait).

What movie am I reviewing again?