City by the Sea
City by the Sea

Movie spotlight

City by the Sea

2002
Movie
108 min
English

Vincent LaMarca is a dedicated and well-respected New York City police detective who has gone to great lengths to distance himself from his past, but then makes the terrible discovery that his own son has fallen into a life of crime.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes51%
Metacritic53/100
Google Users74%
Director: Michael Caton-JonesGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A veteran NYPD detective, Vincent LaMarca, is investigating a murder case that hits close to home when he discovers the killer is his estranged son, Joey. As LaMarca delves deeper into Joey's troubled life, he grapples with his own past mistakes and the complex father-son relationship. The investigation becomes a race against time as LaMarca tries to understand and potentially save his son while upholding his duty as a law enforcement officer.

Critical Reception

City by the Sea received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While De Niro's performance was widely praised, the film's plot and pacing were subjects of some debate. Audiences generally found it to be a compelling crime drama with strong acting.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praises for Robert De Niro's nuanced performance as a conflicted detective.

  • Criticism for a somewhat predictable plot and uneven pacing.

  • Acknowledged for its exploration of difficult family dynamics within a crime thriller framework.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the strong performances, particularly from Robert De Niro, and found the dramatic elements engaging. Some viewers felt the story could have been more original, but overall it was considered a solid crime drama.

Fun Fact

The film is based on a true story, inspired by a 1990s murder investigation involving a New York City police officer.

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