In “City by the Sea”, Robert DeNiro stars as Vincent LaMarca, a New York City cop simultaneously living in the shadow of his Father’s past transgressions and his son’s (James Franco) new ones. When a murder suspect turns out to be the latter, he has to decide what is more important, catching a killer or saving his son. “City by the Sea” is a movie about decay. The decay of the Long Beach area, the American Family, and of one’s moral fiber. All of these things were once beautiful, in a time that was simpler. Families used to play and swim on the beaches, one of those being the LaMarcas. But times have changed. Long Beach is in ruin, the LaMarca family has been split for years, the son grown up to be a junkie

.This has to be one of DeNiro’s most introspective movies in quite awhile. The perennial tough guy is still present, but it’s all inside. His anger, his secrets, his losses, all wrapped up in a neat little bow never to be shared with anyone. He shares a part of his life with a woman he cares for, but can’t even open up to her. Of course, once he does, one wonders if he should have.

I enjoyed “City by the Sea” very much. More than I actually expected to. The relationships between the characters are far more real than in most ‘cop’ films. Their actions and reactions, seeming not so much written, but more genuine in nature. I expected a ‘shoot-em-up’ cop picture, but was surprised to find a movie with far more depth. It moved slowly, never wavering from what was most important, learning who these characters were and why they made the choices. This was movie that reverberated with an emotional resonance long after it ended.

One of the other things I liked about “City by the Sea” is being able to watch a ‘star on the rise’ in the case of James Franco. I first noticed Franco when he starred on the unfortunately short-lived TV series, “Freaks and Geeks.” I say unfortunately as it was one of the most realistic and best written shows about high school life in the eighties. Bumped around from time slot to time slot, it ended after a paltry 18 episodes, many of which didn’t even air until the reruns picked up by the Fox Family Channel. When the show disappeared I was concerned that many of the fine actors, including Franco, from the show would disappear from the public eye. Fortunately, that hasn’t been so.

Franco has since gone on to star in a TV movie about the late James Dean, for which he won a Golden Globe. He’s also carved himself a niche in movie history by nailing the role of Harry Osbourne in “Spider-Man”, as well as the upcoming sequel. It’s a sure bet that this talented actor is definitely on the way up.

The DVD of “City by the Sea” won’t disappoint. The extras are few, but the movie itself ranks amongst DeNiro’s best work in recent years.

Directed by: Michael Caton Jones
Starring: Robert De Niro, Frances McDormand, James Franco, Eliza Dushku, William Forsythe, and George Dzunda
Extras: Feature Length Commentary by writer Ken Hixon and producer Matthew Baer, “Six Words About Filmmaking” with Michael Caton-Jones, Theatrical Trailer, Cast/Director/Writer Film Highlights
Specifications: Widescreen
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: 2/18/2003
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R (Language, Drug Use and Some Violence)
Website: http://www.citybythesea.net

We'll give City By The Sea an A.