While pulling together a charity benefit for wrongful deportation of illegal immigrants, publicist Eli Wurman finds himself caught up in the gritty world of deception in New York City when a woman is murdered.
Director Daniel Algrant offers an overlooked, slow-burning character drama about New York's unsavory elite. The on-location shoot is the star of the show, enhancing the film's realism. Algrant's eye offers a sense of authenticity, grounding the viewer in the reality of the characters' lives.
Jon Robin Baitz's screenplay hints at a compelling thriller, but the two main plots arguably land in mediocrity, aiming for subtlety but occasionally missing the mark. Nonetheless, the abundance of naturalistic dialogue adds to the drama rather than just aiming for crowd-pleasing moments.
Al Pacino delivers a performance that, while solid, feels somewhat routine for the seasoned actor. Pacino's portrayal is effective, yet it's a role he could perform in his sleep. Téa Leoni leaves a lasting impact, although it appears to be a recurring theme in her contract to either scream or cry with every character she portrays. Kim Basinger's intermittent role throughout the film is a welcomed addition, even if sporadically brief. Support cast are on form including Ryan O'Neal and Bill Nunn to name a few.
Overall, Algrant's staging and Baitz's narrative, along with notable performances, make it worthwhile, certainly for fans of character-driven dramas.
Director Daniel Algrant offers an overlooked, slow-burning character drama about New York's unsavory elite. The on-location shoot is the star of the show, enhancing the film's realism. Algrant's eye offers a sense of authenticity, grounding the viewer in the reality of the characters' lives.
Jon Robin Baitz's screenplay hints at a compelling thriller, but the two main plots arguably land in mediocrity, aiming for subtlety but occasionally missing the mark. Nonetheless, the abundance of naturalistic dialogue adds to the drama rather than just aiming for crowd-pleasing moments.
Al Pacino delivers a performance that, while solid, feels somewhat routine for the seasoned actor. Pacino's portrayal is effective, yet it's a role he could perform in his sleep. Téa Leoni leaves a lasting impact, although it appears to be a recurring theme in her contract to either scream or cry with every character she portrays. Kim Basinger's intermittent role throughout the film is a welcomed addition, even if sporadically brief. Support cast are on form including Ryan O'Neal and Bill Nunn to name a few.
Overall, Algrant's staging and Baitz's narrative, along with notable performances, make it worthwhile, certainly for fans of character-driven dramas.