Night and the City Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A lawyer sues the wrong guy and decides to fight back by doing the one thing he knows nothing about, and predictably fails in spectacular fashion.

🍿 Night and the City: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Harry Fabian

Harry Fabian (Robert De Niro) is a small-time, ethically challenged lawyer in New York City, chasing ambulances and hustling for clients. He dreams of making it big but lacks the skills and resources to achieve his ambitions. He’s involved in an affair with Helen Nasseros (Jessica Lange), the wife of a bar owner.

Fabian’s Boxing Scheme

After losing a case to boxing promoter Ira ‘Boom Boom’ Grossman (Alan King), Fabian sees an opportunity in promoting boxing matches himself. He convinces Al Grossman (Jack Warden), Ira’s estranged brother and a former boxer, to join him, hoping to leverage Al’s reputation and knowledge of the sport. He envisions a boxing promotion outside of the established boxing scene controlled by Ira ‘Boom Boom’ Grossman.

Mounting Debts and Betrayals

Fabian borrows money from various sources, including Helen’s husband, Phil (Cliff Gorman), and a ruthless loan shark, Peck (Eli Wallach), to finance his boxing venture. As his debts pile up, he faces increasing pressure from his creditors and the wrath of ‘Boom Boom’ Grossman, who sees Fabian as a threat. Fabian’s plans start to unravel due to his incompetence and poor decisions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Harry Fabian (Robert De Niro): A cheating and incompetent lawyer who becomes obsessed with becoming a boxing promoter, leading him into trouble with mobsters.
• Helen Nasseros (Jessica Lange): A waitress and the wife of a bar owner, she has an affair with Harry and dreams of opening her own bar.
• Phil Nasseros (Cliff Gorman): The owner of the bar where Harry hangs out and Helen’s husband, unaware of the affair and used by Harry for financial gain.
• Ira ‘Boom Boom’ Grossman (Alan King): A powerful boxing promoter and mobster who becomes Harry’s rival when he tries to enter the boxing scene.
• Al Grossman (Jack Warden): Ira’s older brother and a retired boxer, he is recruited by Harry to gain an edge over Ira, but has a bad heart.
• Peck (Eli Wallach): A ruthless loan shark from whom Harry borrows money to finance his boxing promotion, adding to his troubles.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Peck: “Harry, you ever hear of Murphy’s Law? Anything that can go wrong WILL go wrong. That law was dedicated to guys like you.” – Peck warns Harry that his plans are destined to fail due to his incompetence and bad luck.
• Harry Fabian: “I’m gonna be a somebody.” – Harry expresses his ambition and desire to escape his dead-end life and achieve success.
• Al Grossman: “You’re like a disease, Harry. You know that?” – Al Grossman explains to Harry Fabian why he is a bad person, who is not to be trusted.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,202,756
• Worldwide Gross: $6,202,957

💥 Night and the City Reviews

Personal Review

Honestly, this movie left me feeling a bit deflated. De Niro’s performance is energetic, but the storyline is all over the place. I really wanted to root for Harry, but he’s just so unlikeable. The ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying. I expected a lot more drama and grit, but it falls flat. I don’t regret watching it, but I won’t be rushing to see it again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robert De Niro and Jessica Lange”
  • “Viewers interested in neo-noir crime dramas”
  • “People who enjoy movies set in New York City”
  • “Fans of boxing-related stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While De Niro delivers a committed performance, the film struggles to find its footing, oscillating between dark noir and comedic elements. The supporting cast shines, but the overall impact is diminished by uneven pacing and a lack of thematic coherence.
• RogerEbert.com: “Ebert was not a fan. He said that the 1992 remake was nowhere near as good as the original.

Audience Reactions

De Niro’s energetic performance is worth watching.: Most agree that the performances were well done. Many fans suggest the director failed to capture the themes of the original.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag. The acting is generally praised, especially De Niro, but the film lacks cohesion and fails to live up to the original.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Martin Scorsese was initially slated to direct the film, but he ultimately stepped down, feeling he had explored similar themes in his previous work.”
• “The film is a remake of the 1950 film noir of the same name, directed by Jules Dassin, to whom this remake is dedicated.”
• “Richard Price, known for his crime novels and screenplays, wrote the screenplay, bringing his signature gritty realism to the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch Night and the City?

As of today, you can rent or purchase ‘Night and the City’ on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region, so check your local listings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Night and the City, you might like these similar films:

• Night and the City (1950): The original film noir classic that this movie remakes, with a darker tone and Richard Widmark in the lead role.
• The Sweet Smell of Success (1957): Features a desperate press agent willing to do anything for fame and fortune, similar to Harry Fabian’s ambition.
• Raging Bull (1980): Also starring Robert De Niro, this film explores the destructive ambition and self-sabotage of a boxer, sharing thematic elements.
• Uncut Gems (2019): A modern thriller about a charismatic hustler who constantly gambles and risks everything, capturing a similar sense of mounting chaos and desperation.

🛒 Night and the City Related Products

• Night and the City (1950) – Criterion Collection: Experience the original film noir masterpiece with Richard Widmark, fully restored by the Criterion Collection. A classic in every sense.
• Robert De Niro: The Iconic Performances: A digital collection showcasing De Niro’s most memorable roles, including his performance in ‘Night and the City’. A must-have for any fan.
• Boxing Gloves – Premium Leather Training Gloves: High-quality leather boxing gloves, perfect for training or display. Channel the spirit of ‘Night and the City’ with these durable gloves.
• New York City Movie Poster – Vintage Style: A vintage-style poster of New York City, evoking the gritty atmosphere of the film. Perfect for decorating any fan’s home or office.

🎧 Soundtrack

Night and the City features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Wooly Bully” – performed by Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs
• “The Great Pretender” – performed by Freddie Mercury

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Night and the City (1950) – Fight Scene

Ever wondered what a truly gritty, old-school fight looks like? This scene from Night and the City is a brutal brawl that perfectly captures the film’s dark, desperate vibe. You won’t see fighting like this in modern movies anymore!

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