Empire Movie Review 2002

Leguizamo is Victor Rosa, a slick South Bronx drug entrepreneur hustling to keep his patch of heroin turf. Through narration, Victor walks us through his seedy world and his decision to leave it. His opportunity arises when he meets Wall Street couple Trish (Richards) and Jack (Sarsgaard). Jack cuts him in on an investment deal that helps launder his money, but Victor soon finds out that even a player can get played. Reyes's gangster flick aspires to the heights of "Scarface" and "The Godfather," but sinks in a quagmire of cliches and obvious plot devices. Excellent cast includes Rosellini as an over-the-top drug queenpin as well as rappers Fat Joe and Treach.

Distribution

Universal Studios Home Video, 100 Universal City Plz., Universal City, CA 91608-9955, Phone: (818)777-1000, Fax: (818)866-1483, URL: http://www.universalstudios.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 195 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Urban Drama, Smuggler's Blues, Corporate Shenanigans, New York, New York

Screenplay

Franc Reyes

Cast

John Leguizamo, Peter Sarsgaard, Denise Richards, Delilah Cotto, Vincent Laresca, Isabella Rossellini, Sonia Braga, Nestor Serrano, Fat Joe, Treach

Cinematography

Kramer Morgenthau

Director

Franc Reyes

Music

Ruben Blades