• City by the Sea (2002)

    When a respected New York homicide detective (Robert De Niro) discovers the prime suspect in a murder case is his estranged son (James Franco), he is forced to return home to the decaying boardwalks of Long Beach, Long Island to confront the darkness of his past. During the course of the investigation, he realizes that his failures as a father - and his unresolved anguish about the painful estrangement - have deeply influenced his son's life.

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City by the Sea
50
metacriticBased on 34 Critics
93
Based on 49 Users

Release Date: September 6th, 2002

DVD Release Date: February 18th, 2003

R |1 hr 48 min

Plot Summary

When a respected New York homicide detective (Robert De Niro) discovers the prime suspect in a murder case is his estranged son (James Franco), he is forced to return home to the decaying boardwalks of Long Beach, Long Island to confront the darkness of his past. During the course of the investigation, he realizes that his failures as a father - and his unresolved anguish about the painful estrangement - have deeply influenced his son's life.

Cast: Robert De Niro, Frances McDormand, James Franco, Eliza Dushku, William Forsythe, George Dzundza, Patti LuPone, Anson Mount

Director: Michael Caton-Jones

Genres: Crime drama

Production Co: Franchise Pictures, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, Sea Breeze Productions Inc.

Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures

Keywords: Investigation, Dark, Father, New York City, Mystery, Pursuit, Police station, 2000s, Son

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 60
    Wall Street Journal

    Notwithstanding a thin script and a color-by-numbers ending, the movie is redeemed by its solid performances.

  • 75
    Mick LaSalleSan Francisco Chronicle

    It's so bleak that it would play like a contrived neo-noir if it weren't so consistent, committed and obviously sincere. show more

  • 75
    Roger EbertChicago Sun-Times

    Not an extraordinary movie. In its workmanship it aspires not to be remarkable but to be well made, dependable, moving us because of the hurt in the hero's eyes. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com

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