Review of Night Falls on Manhattan (1997) by Pavan R — 23 Apr 2012
Written and directed by Sidney Lumet, (12 Angry Men (1957), Serpico (1973), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and Network (1976)), and adapted from Robert Daley's 1994 novel Tainted Evidence, this is a gripping legal thriller with some good performances, even though it sank without trace on release, it's got some good merits about it.
New York Detectives Liam Casey (Ian Holm) and Joey Allegretto (James Gandolfini) are about to arrest drug dealer Jordan Washington (Shiek Mahmud-Bey), who escapes, wounding Liam. Meanwhile, district attorney Morganstern (Ron Leibman) appoints Sean Casey (Andy GarcÃa), Liam's son, who has just passed the bar, to prosecute Washington, and proceeds in gathering evidence, although he faces Washington's lawyer Sam Vigoda (Richard Dreyfuss), Vigoda respects how Sean handled the case, even for a novice, and Sean starts a relationship with Vigoda's assistant Peggy Lindstrom (Lena Olin).
Meanwhile, Morganstern suffers a heart attack, and Sean runs for District Attorney, but he learns a few truths about what happened on the night Liam was nearly killed by Washington. It's a good moral tale about dealing with what's right and what's legal, GarcÃa gives a good performance as the novice lawman done good, with good support and a good taut, tight script as well.
It benefits from focused camerawork by David Watkin and a good score by Mark Isham.
This review of Night Falls on Manhattan (1997) was written by Pavan R on 23 Apr 2012.
Night Falls on Manhattan has generally received mixed reviews.
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