Cry of the City
Cry of the City

Movie spotlight

Cry of the City

1948
Movie
95 min
English

Petty crook and cop-killer Martin Rome, in bad shape from wounds in the hospital prison ward, still refuses to help slimy lawyer Niles clear his client by confessing to another crime. Police Lt. Candella must check Niles' allegation; a friend of the Rome family, he walks a tightrope between sentiment and cynicism. When Martin fears Candella will implicate his girlfriend Teena, he'll do anything to protect her. How many others will he drag down to disaster with him?

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes100%
Google Users88%
Director: Robert SiodmakGenres: Film Noir, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A struggling construction worker, Martin Rome, finds himself entangled in a web of crime after a botched robbery. His devoted mother tries to protect him, but his former lover, Brenda, and a relentless detective, Lt. Candella, are determined to bring him to justice. Rome's desperate attempts to escape his fate lead him down a dark path through the gritty streets of New York City.

Critical Reception

Cry of the City was well-received by critics upon its release, praised for its gritty realism, taut direction, and strong performances. It has since become a celebrated example of film noir, recognized for its complex characters and bleak portrayal of urban life.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic depiction of New York City's underbelly.

  • Victor Mature's performance as the conflicted protagonist is a standout.

  • Robert Siodmak's direction effectively captures the suspense and fatalistic tone of film noir.

Google audience: Audiences appreciate the film's classic noir atmosphere, strong narrative, and memorable characters. Many highlight the tense cat-and-mouse game between the detective and the criminal as a key strength.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in New York City, contributing significantly to its authentic and gritty atmosphere.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Maybe not my first choice as leading man here, but to be fair to Victor Mature he turns in one of his better efforts as officer "Candella". When low-life "Rome" (Richard Conte) finds himself lying in an hospital bed, badly bruised and being...