FilmBuff1994 City by the Sea is a very mediocre movie with a poorly developed storyline, albeit a terrific cast that deserved better. One issue I certainly did not have with this movie was the cast, Robert De Niro hits it out of the park, really understanding the problems and frustration of this character, it is one of his most vulnerable performances, James Franco also shines in his scenes as a down on his luck young adult, as does Frances McDornand in her limited screen time. The film was too afraid to do anything, that was its main problem, it never took the story in an interesting direction, it's given a lot of good material but does nothing with it, it's going through the motions from start to finish, the crew did not try hard enough to make this exceptional. The best scenes are the ones De Niro and Franco share together, they're emotional and very believable as a father and son. Sadly, their parts together are limited to only two, I felt like I could have given it a much higher rating if they were together more, it's when their acting was the most raw, as well as that, it's when the story really goes somewhere, instead of simply lingering back and forth. The script is awful, the terrific performances make it watchable, but at the end of the day, that is not enough, and I could not possibly recommend City by the Sea to anyone, a movie that is given so much, and does nothing with it. A cop is forced to confront his past when his son is revealed to be the chief suspect of a murder case. Best Performance: Robert De Niro

videorama-759-859391 For me this was a disappointment, and rarely am I disappointed by a De Niro film. It's just a standard nothing new film. This is just a routine cop drama, with the always competent De Niro in a not so tough role as a cop, who's very family orientated. Now just having realized his junkie son (Franco) may of been the murderous hand behind the death of a cop, he must find him. Really this is just old territory, in a painfully trite cop drama, the new acting great, Franco, delivering a sincere and powerful performance, as the fleeing son, running scared. Did he or not pull the trigger, or is there more than a story to it. We really don't care, or we have an itch to know, to get our story's worth. Seriously, Franco is the only real reason for warranting a view, while Eliza Dunkshu was strong too as the girlfriend. A kill ninety minute film in the land of ordinary that does try, by evidently fails, as just a sad tale of mislead youth. Do watch for Franco, though.

faithisagoodthing Let's just say, I'm kind of shocked this is only 6.1 in the ratings.Reading other people comments, I have noticed that some have said the movie was excellent but they haven't provided a rating score, which might have brought it slightly higher.Regarding, the negative feedback, what on earth are they watching? Maybe, they should stick to Twilight and light weight popcorn movies as after all this a a dark gritty drama for grown ups. The casting is brilliant with everyone playing their part extremely well.Yes, I can see why people always go on about James Franco being a junkie in real life especially with performances like this and Pineapple Express (no one does it better but that's what you call great acting).He basically, went toe to toe with Robert De Niro (who hand picked him after seeing James Franco as James Dean) and came out his equal. Maybe just maybe, Robert De Niro might have passed his succession to James Franco. No wonder, his getting Oscars nominations now etc and only matter of time before he wins a few.I actually, forgot that I watched this movie when it originally came out. I went to the supermarket recently and purchased a copy as it was very cheap and found a a true gem that I had forgotten. I felt, I had to write a review because I couldn't believe the rating and some of the comments.I'm not going to breakdown what happens in the story there's enough evidence of that already but wow. If you want amazing acting by all and true essence of what a great drama should be, you might have seen similar formats in the past but was it ever acted as well as this then I suggest you rent or buy it.I'm so glad, I have this as part of my DVD collection. Not every movie has to have plenty of car chasing, be in 3D, naked ladies etc.Sometimes, you just need a strong cast to bring a good story home and for me they brought it home plenty. Can't believe this movie didn't get any Oscar nominations. I can be critical like the next person, thinking not another cop drama but seriously can't stress this enough open your mind to solid acting by all cast members and you will be truly surprised.

zofos In the mid-1990s, Quentin Tarantino argued that his idol Robert De Niro had let quality control in his career slip. "The care in the work isn't there anymore", he noted. Well, if you wanted proof of that argument, this movie is it.Reuniting with his "This Boy's Life" director Michael Caton-Jones (this is easily the worst movie he's ever directed), Robert De Niro sleepwalks his way through this movie for the money. He's overweight and looks utterly bored throughout. Only at the end does De Niro wake up and start trying to come up with something, but by then it's too late to care.Allegedly based on a true story (you could have fooled me, the script is an awful collection of cop clichés and junkie stereotypes), the film concerns the drug-addicted son of a cop who accidentally gets caught up in murders and goes on the run. De Niro plays the father cop who must choose between family loyalty and his job (have a guess which one he chooses. It's obvious from the start).With De Niro on autopilot, it falls to the rest of the cast to try and cover up for him. William Forsythe, De Niro's co-star from "Once Upon A Time In America", is in this as a drug dealer called Spyder (original name, huh? He has a conversation with a junkie that goes "Hey, Snake." "Hey, Spyder." Yup, it's that bad.) George Dzundza crops up as the hero's obese cop partner who gets bloodily murdered (the exact same role he played in "Basic Instinct.") The younger actors playing the junkies do everything obvious and overdo it at that. The only person who comes out of this with any credibility is Frances McDormand who manages to work up something realistic in her scenes with De Niro, but you can't polish a turd and this script is just that.The explanation for De Niro's son turning to drugs is an unbelievable "you-weren't-there-for-me-dad" self-pitying rant at the end. Yes, folks, drug addiction really is that simple. How this script got through to production is a mystery. It's amateur hour nonsense.This movie is so unambitious and uninspired; you have to wonder why they bothered making it at all. Avoid.