A Disappointing Continuation

Blistering performances.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Being a huge fan of Al Pacino (from the likes of 'Heat', the 'Godfather' movies, and 'Dog Day Afternoon' especially) and having had a huge crush on Bridget Fonda ('Single White Female', anyone?) back in the day (Peter Fonda's famous daughter was named 85th sexiest star in film history, and Mrs. Danny Elfman hasn't been involved in film, unfortunately, since 2002), I was hugely disappointed in this film, especially since I had loved director Harold Becker's previous 'Sea of Love', which also starred Pacino. The first half was decent and involving, but it kind of slid off the rails, interest-wise for me, the rest of the way and got too talky and uninspired.I don't really know if the problem was with the script or its direction. I know I'm not the greatest John Cusack fan in the world (I find he's much better in comedy, like his sister Joan), but he had pretty good co-stars, whose talents were basically wasted, in Martin Landau, Anthony Franciosa and Danny Aiello (these guys were BORN for these roles and films, so on paper, this should have really worked out well). I had always wondered why this film had bombed so miserably, and now I know why. In cases like this, more should have been done to alter the story arc, just some basic tweaks, to make it more suspenseful and/or (though I usually balk at such 'Hollywood' tendencies) some romantic tension (a beauty such as Fonda's was misused--they may as well have hired someone else). All in all, a wasted opportunity that's worth a look if you like dramas about corruption--just don't go in with big expectations, and don't bother with a re-watch.

Set in New York City, this political drama is about an investigation into a shooting incident and also a young man's journey from naivety to disillusionment. The young man is Kevin Calhoun (John Cusack) who, after becoming fascinated by politics as a youngster in Louisiana, embarked on a career that led him to "The Big Apple" and his current role as Deputy Mayor of the city. He's energetic, highly-motivated and eager to learn all that he can from his boss Mayor John Pappas (Al Pacino), who's obviously a well-intentioned man and a consummate politician.The always-busy Mayor's office is attempting to bring the Democratic Party Convention to the city and planning to build a bank amongst other things when news comes through about a shootout in a Brooklyn street. An exchange of fire between an undercover cop and a drug dealer had left both men dead and a stray bullet had also killed an innocent 6-year-old boy who'd had the misfortune to be close-by at the time. On hearing the news, Mayor Pappas swings into action immediately by launching an investigation (which Calhoun is appointed to lead) and then visiting the cop's widow and the boy's father before skilfully updating the media at a swiftly-convened press conference. Despite being advised that he wouldn't be welcomed by the congregation of the Harlem church where the boy's funeral is to be held, Pappas insists on attending and gives a stirring speech that's well-received by everyone present.Marybeth Cogan (Bridget Fonda), an attorney who works for the Detectives' Endowment Association, is on hand to protect the reputation of the deceased cop and the interests of his widow. She takes an interest in Calhoun's investigation which focuses on, whose bullet killed the child, why the cop went to a meeting with a drug dealer without any back-up and why the drug dealer had been paroled rather than jailed for the serious crimes he'd committed in the recent past.Calhoun's investigation reveals that the boy had been killed by the drug dealer's bullet and that the decision to parole the young criminal had been made as a result of a conspiracy involving the drug dealer's Mafia-boss/uncle, Paul Zapatti (Tony Franciosa), a Brooklyn politician called Frank Anselmo (Danny Aiello) and Judge Walter Stern (Martin Landau). A couple of these men become immediate casualties of the conspiracy but others soon follow.There was a lot of talent on board in the making of this movie as a couple of members of the writing team had previously been involved in classics like "Taxi Driver", "Casino" and "Goodfellas" and Ken Lipper had served as Deputy Mayor of New York City under Mayor Ed Koch. Lipper's input in particular must've been important and is, no doubt, the reason why the dialogue in "City Hall" is so realistic and incisive.It's great to see Al Pacino in a role that's so perfect for him as he comfortably displays the flamboyance, charisma and shrewdness of John Pappas and delivers the kind of speeches that would be expected of a politician of his calibre. It's also enjoyable to watch the slick way in which his character's political instincts kick in whenever he has to deal with a difficult problem and also his skill in handling different types of people. John Cusack, in his understated way, also does well in portraying the transition that Calhoun goes through as he matures both as a politician and a man. Tony Franciosa and Martin Landau are especially good in their supporting roles and Danny Aiello makes a tremendous impression as a political operator with a penchant for the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein."City Hall" shows very adeptly how many deals, compromises and accommodations have to be made in order to achieve anything of any significance and also implicitly questions how anyone can keep their integrity in such a milieu. It's these qualities that ultimately make this movie so thought-provoking as well as entertaining.

(Credit IMDb) A young boy dies from a stray bullet during a shootout between a cop and mob family member who had previously been suspiciously given probation, only to break its terms. New York's Deputy Mayor, Kevin Calhoun starts digging for information.It isn't very often that I shut a movie off at 45 minutes in. Especially with a terrific cast like this one. This movie was so boring that I was unable to pay attention. It was extremely talky and failed to engage my interest. A movie with Al Pacino, John Cusack, and Bridget Fonda should not be this boring, plain and simple. Maybe I will give it another try down the road, but I doubt it.

On the DVD cover of this movie, the Norwegian distributor had tagged as a "political thriller". It's about the intrigues and murders around the mayor of New York (played by Al Pacino), but is it a thriller? For me the first commandment for a thriller is excitement and good pace, and this movie lacks that. It is also a bit predictable. but I will describe it more like a political drama more than a thriller.I'm surely not an American, so I will not fully understand the political system in the US. What I pick up from newspapers and TV is almost all about corruption and fraud. Yes, this is a movie and not reality - but there's a touch of real life in every movie, there is a rotten apple in every basket, even in little Norway.my favorite actor Al Pacino gave a very good performance, although it's too quiet behind him. An extra point to John Cusack and Danny Aiello as well. On the other hand I got the feeling that I've seen the story before, the lone ranger and his girl fighting to expose the big political conspiracy, so I would like to see more originality in the plot. The advantage for betting on a well known horse such as Pacino is that they can't get too wrong - Pacino saved the movie, I'll blame the writers for the rest. There is a lot of skilled actors involved here, it's too bad they weren't able to show what they really can do; they to little to work with. But all in all this is not a bad movie, but I did feel a little disappointment - maybe I expected too much. But Al was good as always.