A panned neo-noir crime thriller headlined byMark WahlbergandRussell Crowesets its sights on free streaming. Released back in 2013,Broken Cityfinds Wahlberg taking the lead as a former cop-turned-private investigator, who finds himself in serious danger after being tasked with investigating the wife of Crowe’s mayor of New York City.
Directed by Allen Hughes and written by Brian Tucker, and featuring an all-star cast that includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Barry Pepper, Kyle Chandler, Natalie Martinez, and Jeffrey Wright alongside Wahlberg and Crowe,Broken Cityis all set to land on the free streaming platformTubifrom March 1. You can check out the official synopsis for the crime thriller below…
Mark Wahlberg’s First Action Movie Was Shunned by Roger Ebert
Apparently, Ebert didn’t like when action movies were a little too zany, corny, or cartoonish. 1998’s ‘The Big Hit’ was all of those things.
“Former cop Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) sees a chance at redemption for past sins when New York City’s Mayor Nicolas Hostetler (Russell Crowe) calls on him for a special job. Hostetler thinks his wife, Cathleen (Catherine Zeta-Jones), is having an affair and that it may hurt his chances for re-election. However, a bigger scandal than expected pulls in Billy right at the start of his investigation. Double-crossed by the mayor, Billy begins a relentless quest for justice.”
‘Broken City’ Was Panned by Critics at the Time…but It’s Still Worth a Watch
At the time,Broken Citywaswidely panned by both critics and audiences alike. The movie now stands at just 26% from the former on Rotten Tomatoes, while achieving a better (but not better enough) score of 40% from audiences on the Popcornmeter. “Broken City’sthinly sketched, formulaic script offers meager rewards for all but the least demanding noir aficionados,” the critics’ consensus reads. Alongside the harsh reviews,Broken Citybombed at the box office, earning just $19 million worldwide against its $35 million production budget. However, one critic who did enjoy the movie, and for a relatable reason, was Richard Roeper ofRogerEbert.com, who awardedBroken Citya near-perfect three out of four stars, saying…
“When people ask me about a particular movie, they don’t say, “Are the performances transcendent?” Or “is the direction sublime?” Or “is this an engrossing, life-enriching experience?” They ask, “Is it any good?” That’s what they always say.
I can’t tell you with a straight face “Broken City” is “any good,” but I can make the case you’ll have a good time even when the screenplay is breaking bad.”
Mark Wahlberg recently took on villain duties for director Mel Gibson’sFlight Risk, which sadly saw the actoronce again crash and burn with criticson Rotten Tomatoes. Wahlberg is due to take on a role previously played by both Mel Gibson and action movie icon Jason Statham – that of the enigmatic Parker – in the upcoming crime thrillerPlay Dirty, will return for the action sequelThe Family Plan 2on Apple TV+, stars alongside Paul Walter Hauser, Molly Shannon, Eva De Dominici, Benjamin Bratt, Daniela Melchior, Eric André and Chelsey Crisp in director Peter Farrelly’s action-comedyBalls Up, and will lead the long-gestatingreboot of the beloved 70s action seriesThe Six Million Dollar Man.
Broken City
