Police Dedective Vincent LaMarca (Robert De Niro) has had walked out on his wife and eventually his son Joey (James Franco) and moved away from Long Beach. He is happy hanging with his girlfriend Michelle (Frances McDormand) and just doing his job.
Meanwhile, his estranged son has turned into a junkie and killed a drug dealer in a fight. With his son’s name as the head suspect, Vincent’s other past secrets will resurface and he will have to deal with everything he has run away from. Things are not what they seem and his girlfriend might just regret she ever wanted him to open up…
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Need I say De Niro is great as the estranged father with a troubled past? His character Vincent has flaws he is not proud of but he has done a good job of avoiding them so far.
James Franco is really good as the bright-boy-turned-junkie. The movie is really good asking some troubling moral questions and dealing with the relationships between the characters.
City by the Sea is by no means a thriller. It is a slow-paced, strong drama with characters you care about. It makes you react to events and question motives and reasons. Expecting action sequences will only disappoint you. This is a fine drama which should especially be seen by Robert De Niro and James Franco fans.
6.1 on imdb. It deserves something over 7, at the very least. Hell, 10/10 for Robert’s acting and presence alone. Let me know what you think.
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Terrence says
I have not seen that one, I’ll have to check it out!! Have you seen Gamer That Movie hits you in the face over and over again!!
zoey says
You should, solid drama.De Niro hardly ever disappoints. I also loved his latest, “Everybody’s fine”. Seen that one?
If you mean Gamer with Gerard Butler, yeah. I have. My review is here:
http://cinemaroll.com/cinemarolling/gamer-movie-review/
Have you seen Law Abiding Citizen, though? That’s much more in your face:D