| Reviewed on 2013-01-18 |
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| Rated | R |
| Received |  [2] out of 4 stars |
| Genre | Thriller |
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| “Broken City” is an intricate spider web that is over-spun. Mark Wahlberg is Billy Taggart, a former police officer who enters the world of private investigator following a deadly incident on the force. Billy’s struggling to make ends meet as many of his clients, who are investigating infidelity of their significant other, seem reluctant to pay their bill. One person who has enough money to cover services rendered is the Mayor. Mayor Hostetler met Billy when he was on the force. He considered him a hero for the actions he took during his time with the department.
Little did Billy know several years later the Mayor would be in need of his assistance. Hostetler offers Billy $50,000 to catch his wife being unfaithful and he wants the photos to prove it. Paying him $25,000 up front Billy is more than eager to accept the offer. It does not take long for Billy to spot Cathleen Hostetler (Catherine Zeta-Jones) taking in time with another man. During election time this is a scandal that could destroy the Mayor’s chance at victory.
Things only get more complex when Billy discovers the man Cathleen is with is the campaign manager for Hostetler’s opponent. Billy is prepared to get his payday and turn the photos over to the Mayor, until his Hostetler’s wife meets with him and warns him. She informs him she is not being unfaithful and he is being used for a much larger plot then he knows. Billy is unsure of what his next move is, but the repercussions from it turn deadly.
When Billy realizes the Mayor has been using him, he quickly turns on him. The focus of the investigation is now on Hostetler and what his true motives are. Once discovered Billy will use every means necessary to take him down. “Broken City” has many twists and turns that will keep you enthralled, but never really pays off. There’s a story within a story that construes the main objective of the storyline. There are a few good action scenes and intense moments, but overall the excitement was not there. It is going to take more than a few A-list actors to improve this “Broken City”. |
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