CITY BY THE SEA

US, 2002, 109 minutes, Colour.
Robert de Niro, Frances Mc Dormand, James Franco, Eliza Dushku, William Forsyth, Patti Lu Pone.
Directed by Michael Caton- Jones.

City By The Sea seems to be a detective story. It is. However, it is much more than that.

The central character is played by Robert de Niro, a homicide detective who has escaped from Long Island to the anonymity of Manhattan. He works with a partner, but stays at a distance from him. He also has a girlfriend (Frances Mc Dormand) but also keeps her at a distance. Divorced from his wife, he has not had contact with his son (James Franco).

The background of the film is that the de Niro character had a father who was executed for murder. He now finds that something of the same pattern is being played out in his drug-addicted son. This means that he has to move out of his comfort zone and try to save some kind of relationship with his son.

Robert de Niro is effective in the central role as is Frances Mc Dormand as his lover. James Franco had won an Emmy award for his impersonation of James Dean in the telemovie of that title. He was to move on to the Spiderman films and star in such films as Tristan and Isolde and The Flyboys.

The film was directed by British Michael Caton- Jones (Scandal, Memphis Belle, Rob Roy). In 2005 Caton-Jones? made two diametrically opposed films: Basic Instinct 2 and Shooting Dogs, the story of the early days of the Rwandan genocide.

1. Another American police thriller? Detection, chase, police procedure? The family relationships, fathers and sons?

2. The title, the reference to Longbeach, New York, the city itself, the location by the sea? Authentic locations, the city, the streets, the homes, the warehouses? The contrast with New York City? The musical score?

3. The focus on Vincent La Marca, his work as a police officer? (The film based on a true story?) La Marca and the stigma of his father being executed for murder, the way this was used by the police, by the media, its effect on him, on Michelle, on Joey? The prospect of having his son accused of murder, his being part of the investigation, his friendship with Reg, Reg's death? His inability to communicate with his son, his clashes with his ex-wife and the visits to her? Joey ringing him, his responses, finally meeting him, the emotional impact, tears? The finale, Joey giving himself up? Vincent and his investigations, the interactions with Snake, not believing him? Learning more about his son and his drug habits, the violence? Learning about Spyder? Spyder's killing Reg? Vincent going after him, the confrontation in the warehouse, Joey shooting Spyder dead and saving his father? His injuries, watching his son going to prison, his son turning to him from the back of the car? The encounters with Gina, discussions with her, the truth about her relationship with Joey, the grandson? The finale on the beach with his grandson? The discussions with Michelle, her not staying with him?

4. The portrait of Joey, the tortured young man, his longing to know his father, the phone calls and his hanging up? His relationship with his mother and her demands? With Gina, on-and-off love, her pregnancy, the birth of the child? The drugs, the dilapidated buildings, with Snake, the drug transaction, Picasso and the struggle, the stabbing to save Snake? The body in the river? Joey hiding, the telephone call to his father, the meeting, the tears? The accusation by Snake that Joey had done the murder? In cold blood? Joey and his desperation, seeing his father, running away? The panicky call? His final going to the building, saving his father by shooting Spyder? His giving himself up, his turning in the car to look at his father? How well did the film show the impact of the absent father, the longing in the son for the father's presence and love? The possibilities of reconciliation?

5. Snake, friendship with Joey, the drug deal, Picasso and the money, the fight, Joey saving Snake, stabbing Picasso, the money? The body in the river? Snake giving himself up, the interrogations, discussions with Vincent?

6. Reg, solid partner, friendship with Vincent, their working together, detection? His home life, family? The encounter with Spyder, Spyder killing Reg? Vincent and his having to deal with Reg's family and their grief?

7. Michelle, neighbour to Vincent, the old apartment, his ringing her, going over, their spending time together? The affair, her love for Vincent, his trying to love her? The contrast with his visits to his ex-wife, the arguments, her affluence, her spoiling of Joey? Explanation of situations to Michelle, her strong stances, especially about the grandchild? Vincent and his detachment, Michelle's disappointment? Her decision to leave him?

8. Gina, her work, pregnant, relationship with Joey, concealing it, giving birth, going to see Vincent, leaving the grandchild and going out to do some shopping, not returning?

9. Spyder, the drug gangs, his age, experience, brutality, greed for money, wanting to kill Joey, the shooting of Reg? The irony of Joey shooting him and saving his father?

10. The portrait of police work, the details of procedure, tracking down criminals, stakeouts, interrogations? The work in the precinct?

11. The role of the media, the journalists, pursuing Vincent, the phone calls, interrogations? Deadlines? Sensationalism? The besieging of those they wanted to interview?

12. How satisfying a police thriller, how satisfying a family drama?