Broken City Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A disgraced cop takes a seemingly simple job tailing the mayor’s wife, only to find out everyone’s double-crossing each other over real estate deals and old grudges, and suddenly he’s gotta save the city and expose the mayor or go to jail.

🍿 Broken City: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: A Cop’s Past

NYPD detective Billy Taggart is involved in the controversial shooting of Mikey Tavarez, a suspected rapist who escaped conviction on a technicality. Mayor Nicholas Hostetler intervenes, ensuring Taggart is cleared but forced to resign. This sets the stage for a future entanglement between the two men.

Seven Years Later: A Private Investigator’s Dilemma

Seven years later, Taggart is a struggling private investigator. Mayor Hostetler, seeking reelection, hires him to investigate his wife, Cathleen, suspecting an affair. Taggart’s investigation leads him to Paul Andrews, campaign manager for Hostetler’s rival, Jack Valliant, uncovering a complex web of political intrigue.

Unraveling the Conspiracy: Murder and Corruption

As Taggart delves deeper, Andrews is murdered, and Taggart realizes he’s been manipulated. He uncovers a corrupt land deal involving the Bolton Village Housing Project, orchestrated by Hostetler and wealthy contractor Sam Lancaster. This deal promises to displace thousands of residents for personal gain.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg): A former cop turned private investigator, Billy seeks redemption while navigating a web of corruption after being double-crossed.
• Mayor Hostetler (Russell Crowe): The powerful and corrupt mayor, Hostetler manipulates those around him to maintain his position and cover his tracks.
• Cathleen Hostetler (Catherine Zeta-Jones): The mayor’s unhappy wife, Cathleen becomes entangled in the political intrigue and seeks to expose her husband’s wrongdoings.
• Carl Fairbanks (Jeffrey Wright): The Chief of Police who removes evidence, Fairbanks operates with hidden motives and a complex relationship with the mayor.
• Katy Bradshaw (Alona Tal): Billy’s loyal and resourceful secretary, Katy assists him in his investigations and provides support.
• Jack Valliant (Barry Pepper): The mayoral candidate running against Hostetler, Jack is initially presented as the moral alternative.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Billy Taggart: “I did it to keep a woman.” – Billy explains his past actions, highlighting the motivations that drove him to cross ethical lines.
• Cathleen Hostetler: “Then you *do* believe in love.” – Cathleen’s response to Billy, showcasing her cynical view of relationships and morality.
• Billy Taggart: “I believe in loving the one you’re with.” – Billy’s pragmatic and somewhat disillusioned perspective on love and commitment.
• Cathleen Hostetler: “Mm, what are you, stupid or Catholic?” – Cathleen’s sarcastic remark to Billy, revealing her sharp wit and judgmental nature.
• Billy Taggart: “Both.” – Billy’s reply to Cathleen, showcasing his self-deprecating humor and complex background.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $19,701,164
• Worldwide Gross: $34,737,199

💥 Broken City Reviews

Personal Review

I really wanted to like this movie more. The cast is fantastic, and the idea of a corrupt political thriller set in New York City sounded awesome. I enjoyed seeing the plot unfold with all of the double-crosses, and the performances were decent. However, it felt like the script had been cut down and could have used more character development. I particularly liked Jeffrey Wright’s role. Overall, it was an enjoyable watch, but nothing that I would put on my ‘must see’ list.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of political thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in crime dramas”
  • “Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief sexuality”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “While boasting a stellar cast, ‘Broken City’ ultimately crumbles under the weight of its convoluted plot and predictable twists, leaving viewers with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
• Rolling Stone: “Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe deliver strong performances in this gritty crime thriller. However, the film’s intricate narrative sometimes overshadows the characters and their motivations, making it a less impactful experience.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “‘Broken City’ presents a stylish but ultimately hollow tale of corruption, with a talented cast struggling to elevate a script that lacks depth and originality.

Audience Reactions

Russell Crowe’s portrayal of the corrupt Mayor Hostetler was captivating.: Many viewers found the performances of the lead actors compelling, especially Russell Crowe.

Alona Tal added a fun dynamic as Wahlberg’s assistant.: The twists and turns kept people engaged, making it a decent crime thriller.

Overall Consensus: A decent crime thriller elevated by strong performances from its cast, but ultimately hampered by a convoluted and somewhat predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mark Wahlberg, who served as one of the producers, initially offered the lead role of Billy Taggart to Michael Fassbender. When Fassbender declined, Wahlberg took on the role himself.”
• “The film explores themes of corruption, redemption, and the complex moral compromises made in politics and law enforcement.”
• “While set in New York City, the majority of the filming took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, taking advantage of the city’s film incentives and diverse locations.”

🖥️ How to Watch Broken City?

Broken City is available to stream on Tubi. You can also rent or buy the movie on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable or satellite options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Broken City, you might like these similar films:

• L.A. Confidential (1997): A neo-noir crime film that explores corruption within the police force and the dark underbelly of a city, similar to the themes in Broken City.
• The Departed (2006): Another crime drama starring Mark Wahlberg that deals with themes of corruption, loyalty, and moral ambiguity within law enforcement.
• State of Play (2009): A political thriller that uncovers corruption and conspiracy, focusing on investigative journalism and government secrets, similar to the plot dynamics in Broken City.
• Chinatown (1974): A classic neo-noir film that delves into corruption, power, and the dark secrets hidden within a city’s infrastructure, resonating with the themes of Broken City.

🛒 Broken City Related Products

• Broken City [Blu-ray]: Experience ‘Broken City’ in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes bonus content such as deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes features.
• Mark Wahlberg Action Collection [DVD]: A collection of Mark Wahlberg’s best action movies including ‘Broken City’. Great gift for any fan.
• Gotham City Building Set: Relive the most memorable moments of ‘Broken City’ and more with this set. A great collectible for fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “You Let Me Down” – performed by Billie Holiday

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Broken City movie review

If you’re considering watching Broken City, this review will give you a good idea of what to expect. Jeremy Jahns does a great job of breaking down the movie’s strengths and weaknesses, and he gives his honest opinion on whether or not it’s worth watching.

BROKEN CITY – Deleted Scene – Starring Mark Whalberg

Have you ever wondered what happens to scenes that get cut from movies? This deleted scene from Broken City gives us a glimpse into the filmmaking process, and it’s a great way to learn more about the movie and its characters.

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