Detectives being hired to do work for important people is a very popular plot that has been used in countless films since cinema was first created. They start off with a simple request and then spiral out of control with some big conspiracy. 'Broken City' has a plot which is quite predictable and you know just about where it is going at every point. It is also full of clichés and the characters are typical of what you expect from this type of film. Despite that I found myself enjoying this film. I suppose I did not have very high expectations and so did not expect greatness, so I ended up enjoying the film much more than I expected. Director Allen Hughes has managed to make the film quite entertaining even when the story is so clichéd and riddled with outrageous coincidences.
I think part of the entertainment factor does come down to the cast as well. Mark Wahlberg has played this type of character so many times before that I think he could be made an honorary cop. But he still does a good job of it. He manages to make his character interesting despite being so familiar. His character does make a few dumb moves but you still come to care for him. Russell Crowe seems to be having so much fun with this role and that fun seems to carry through in his performance. Some have been distracted by his overdosing on the spray tan but I think this added to the fun of his character. He does sometime walk a fine line by making his character come across as a bit ridiculous but he is still very good. Catherine Zeta-Jones does a good job but she has been lumbered with a character that does not do much. This may not have been her fault but she would have made an excellent femme fatal.
As long as you lower your expectations you should get a bit of fun out of this entertaining detective thriller.
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