VIOLENCE IN BROKEN CITY HIDES THE MESSAGE
How can bankrupt cities, such as Detroit, balance their budgets? Broken City, directed by Allen Hughes, suggests that they might sell off city assets, which in the depicted New York City means having high rise developers tear down public or modest-income housing regardless of the impact on those who live there. The plot is more complicated, but shooting and slugging turn the film into an action film rather than realizing the potential for a message film. True, there is an election for mayor, pitting the incumbent Hosteler (played by Russell Crowe) against a member of the City Council, Jack Valliant (played by Barry Pepper). And the latter sides with residents who would become homeless under the redevelopment plan that will line the mayor’s pockets. Meanwhile, ex-cop Billy Taggart (played by Mark Wahlberg) settles scores and takes the side of Valliant. Sexual infidelity is also a part of the plot. But excessive violence will distract most filmviewers from appreciating the message that taxpayers are not likely to be the real beneficiaries of urban redevelopment plans. MH