City of Hope Movie Review

Again, no one asked me, but City of Hope was a much worthier contender for Picture of the Year than Silence of the Lambs. John Sayles’ rich portrait of the complexity of urban life offers sharp, revealing performances from Vincent Spano as Nick, Joe Morton as Councilman Wynn, and Tony LoBianco as Nick's father Joe. Sayles exposes the “any means necessary” approach to deal-making in the city, even when it leads to tragedy. He also shows the inevitable malaise and despair that accompany such cold ruthlessness. Nick doesn't care and wants out; Wynn does care, but his reform efforts are blocked at every turn; and Joe loves his son, but establishes an impossible blueprint for his life. All the actors in the large cast are outstanding, including Sayles as a sleazebag named Carl. City of Hope, a far more cohesive film than Lone Star, is long overdue for a major reassessment.

1991 (R) 132m/C Vincent Spano, Tony LoBianco, Joe Morton, Todd Graff, David Strathairn, Anthony John Denison, Barbara Williams, Angela Bassett, Gloria Foster, Lawrence Tierney, John Sayles, Maggie Renzi, Kevin Tighe, Chris Cooper, Jace Alexander, Frankie Faison, Michael Mantell, Josh Mostel, Joe Grifasi, Louis Zorich, Gina Gershon, Rose Gregorio, Bill Raymond, Maeve Kinkead, Ray Aranha; D: John Sayles; W: John Sayles; C: Robert Richardson; M: Mason Daring. Independent Spirit Awards ‘92: Best Supporting Actor (Strathairn). VHS, LV, 8mm, Closed Caption