Al Pacino is at his best when he overacts - I enjoyed him immensely in Devil's Advocate. In City Hall, his performance is good, but not thrilling. In one obsequy, the screenplay does give him a chance to pound the floorboards, and it's enjoyable to watch him turn a potentially hostile audience into roaring enthusiasts.
But what of the rest of the film? John Cusack gets a miserable character, full of so many inconsistencies one wonders if his role was designed by committee. Bridget Fonda - and her character - don't even belong in the film. The only suspense SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER for me was wondering whether Danny Aiello's character - probably the best role in the film - would commit suicide on or off camera. Too bad director chose wrong again on that one.
But the whole story is so weak and predictable that I kept myself amused only by looking for production inconsistencies. LA Confidential is a far better example of the genre.
But what of the rest of the film? John Cusack gets a miserable character, full of so many inconsistencies one wonders if his role was designed by committee. Bridget Fonda - and her character - don't even belong in the film. The only suspense SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER for me was wondering whether Danny Aiello's character - probably the best role in the film - would commit suicide on or off camera. Too bad director chose wrong again on that one.
But the whole story is so weak and predictable that I kept myself amused only by looking for production inconsistencies. LA Confidential is a far better example of the genre.