WHAT IS IT ABOUT: Robert De Niro stars as Vincent Lamarca, a tough cop whose investigation into a recent murder brings him to the door of his drug addict son.
WAS IT ANY GOOD: As a De Niro fan, I have to say that this is an oddly poignant movie from the king of acting. At first glance it has all the appearance of a low budget, throw away film that has nothing going for it except the big man's name, but it's actually pretty good.
At the heart of its success is the father son relationship between De Niro and James Franco; I don't know if the two knew each other before the movie, but I was amazed at the authenticity of the relationship between the two. Not only is it realistic, it raises some great questions about where your loyalty lies, and the nature vs nurture debate.
Frances McDormand has a small but important part to play, and isn't she just a cracker? Fargo and Burn After Reading are two much better showcases of her talent.
The plot can be criticised for being a little basic and predictable, but it is within those constraints that the relationships really shine. I for one found it interesting to see De Niro in a role that isn't like anything he's done before.
Having just looked on IMDB's review of this film, it says De Niro personally had Franco cast for the role of his son, so there's a partil answer as to why the relationship worked so well - because the god of acting chose it!
At 108 minutes, it never dulls you, and there are a couple of unique and surprising moments in there too.
IF YOU LIKED IT: 'Everybody's Fine' (coming this year) is another De Niro film that sees him take the role of a parent: I haven't seen it but I am excited about it already!
IN CONCLUSION: A basic plot is lifted with an authentic relationship between the leads.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Drama - Director: Kevin Smith - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, George Carlin, Jennifer Lopez, Jason Biggs, Matt Damon
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
A welcome throwback to the cop dramas of the 1970s,City by the Seais an average film ... more
improved by its cast. Robert De Niro stars as veteran New Jersey detective Vincent LaMarca, lamenting the once-glorious Asbury Park boardwalk, now dilapidated from the...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
A welcome throwback to the cop dramas of the 1970s,City by the Seais an average film ... more
improved by its cast. Robert De Niro stars as veteran New Jersey detective Vincent LaMarca, lamenting the once-glorious Asbury Park boardwalk, now dilapidated from the...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
A welcome throwback to the cop dramas of the 1970s,City by the Seais an average film ... more
improved by its cast. Robert De Niro stars as veteran New Jersey detective Vincent LaMarca, lamenting the once-glorious Asbury Park boardwalk, now dilapidated from the...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...