Broken City Movie Review

'Broken City' Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello

Action films are typically known for featuring continuous fast-paced stunts, and as a result, often forgo an intelligible or well-developed plot-line that gives audiences ideas to contemplate. But director Allen Hughes welcomely changed the standards of the action crime drama genre with his new film, ‘Broken City.’ Led by a versatile cast, including Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe, who naturally changed their respective characters’ motives, feelings and beliefs as they encountered life-changing obstacles, the film truly delved into the question of how far people would go in order to protect their lives.

‘Broken City’ starts off with a literal bang, chronicling New York City Detective Billy Taggart (Wahlberg) as he shoots a former suspect who was freed from murder charges. While the city is questioning whether or not the police officer was justified in the shooting, Mayor Nicolas Hosteler (Crowe) hides evidence in the case, so that it won’t go to trial. The story then jumps seven years, as Billy’s now working as a private detective.

Barely able to make ends meet for himself and his girlfriend, Natalie Barrow (Natalie Martinez), Billy accepts a job from the mayor, who’s campaigning for reelection. With the promise of a $50,000 payment, Billy takes a job following Nicolas’ wife, Cathleen (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who the mayor thinks is having an affair. With the help of his office manager, Katy Bradshaw (Alona Tal), Billy soon realizes that he has taken on more than he can bargain for with the investigation. After speaking with the police commissioner, Carl Fairbanks (Jeffrey Wright), and Nicolas’ opponent in the race, Councilman Jack Valliant (Barry Pepper), who both don’t agree with the mayor’s ways, Billy discovers the man who kept him out of jail is keeping deadly, dangerous secrets from him.

To continue reading this review, please visit Shockya.