You won't be disappointed!

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Director John Sayles brings something rare to American films: a keen sense of purpose. The result is gutsy, knockdown entertainment. Building contractors, politicians, crime bosses and racist cops all contribute to this kaleidoscopic analysis of a New Jersey city riddled with corruption.City Of Hope is a masterly deconstruction of the power plays, vested interests and spheres of influence that run, and often ruin American cities. Unrivalled in its sheer scope and ambition until the TV series The Wire (2002), which it almost certainly influenced. This is Sayles' most satisfactory film.

This has become one of my favorite movies, and I am happy to see it return to cable showings. Because of the large ensemble cast, I think that it benefits from more than one viewing. I am struck by the contrast among the characters trying to their best despite hardships (Wynn, Angela, Jeanette, who is Desmond's mother, Les, who has been mugged, and Nidia, on council with Wynn), characters who mean well but ultimately fail (Joe is the classic), and characters corrupted beyond redemption (Carl-- and I love it that Sayles gave himself the nastiest character, assistant D.A. Zimmer, Mayor Baci, and O'Brien-- Kevin Tighe must be Sayles' favorite sleaze-ball). And where will Nick end up if he survives? It is interesting to see actors again in Sayles' films (Chris Cooper-- always good, Joe Morton, Angela Bassett, Tom Wright-- the ultra-activist-- did anyone else recognize him as Flash Phillips from "Sunshine State?", and David Straithairn-- what a role for him!) Errol, the retired mayor who advises Wynn on the golf course, has some very interesting things to say that bear attention. Just how does one lead? And how does one become a leader without compromising himself? Where is that line drawn? Music is used effectively as well. I like whatever it is that is playing on Vinnie's boom box at the end when Nick comes to Carl's shop to confront him (I can't read the titles on the red credits at the end, and they don't appear on the IMDb). And I love the Neville Brothers' "Fearless" at the end. Perfect.Watch this movie.

This is a lengthy film with multiple short stories and vignettes along with an all star cast. It works surprisingly well. This well done piece of work is certainly a curiosity piece and may someday be destined to become a "new classic."

No, not the Patrick Swayze movie about India . . . that was *City of Joy*. This film, however, is also about one of the urban nightmares of our time-namely, New Jersey. A John Sayles tour-de-force (he wrote, directed, edited, and plays the most venal character), in which five story lines involving more than thirty characters seamlessly intertwine in a horrifying portrait of corruption, deceit, and cynicism in modern America. The ensemble cast is outstanding, and the screenplay rarely hits a false note.