Movie Man Darian Watching All Night Long

City Of Lies

This is a truly shocking film that will stun a lot of people. First off this film is one of the most interesting films in recent time due to the backstory this film carries. Their has been huge speculation about The LAPD being against this film being released due to the subject matter that's in the film. For me that made it more fascinating because what is in the film that has them so nervous for people to find out and I won't revel it in my review but will leave it up to you to find out when viewing the film as I don't want to give anything away. This film has fantastic  performances from Johnny Depp at the centre of it giving another knockout performance to Forest Whitaker's incredible supporting work in the film. 

First off, I salute Brad Furman for going forward with such a controversial story that has been talked about for years that's never been solved and really try through his art form and this film to showcase the truth. Furman shows the corruption that went on in the police force and how ugly and dark it really got and he never shines away from it but tries to show the absolute truth to what happened. Really having this authentic look to the picture it doesn't feel like this film is a cash grab on Tupac and Biggie but rather a story to attempt to bring justice to them and Brad brings that to the full front.

Secondly, Depp once again gives another great performance! This man has not done a meaty dramatic role since Black Mass in 2015 and I'm so glad to see him exploring the dramatic genres again as he excels greatly in it bringing great strength to the screen supported amazingly well too by Forest. 

This film will shock and disturb you at moments due to the things many people tried to hide for years but have been finally revealed in this film it's directed greatly by Brad with fantastic centre performances from his cast and a truly compelling story that deserves to be told and seen City Of Lies is terrific.

This film is based on true events it takes place after the murder of Biggie Smalls in 1997 when A journalist tries to revisit the case by going to the man who investigated years ago Russell Poole and try and crack this case and what is revealed is nothing anyone anticipated.

Rated R : strong language and violence 

Johnny Depp : Depp delivers a dynamite performance with great emotional restraint and dazzling delivery. Depp brings his A game as always brining incredible depth to his portrayal of the real life detective he plays onscreen. In the film he is very emotive with his eyes and you can read so much of what he’s trying to Tell you through his body language and sheer emotion and it’s amazing. When he speaks theirs such a truth and honesty that feels so genuine and you can’t help but get wrapped up in his performance as he stuns and crackles every moment he’s onscreen. He’s totally immersed into the character transforming himself psychically and at times I forgot it was Depp and saw Russel as he also uses his voice mannerisms and psychically. He took the role head first and it pays off greatly as Depp shows once again another great dramatic performance. In many moments of the film you can see the sheer sadness behind his eyes and voice as Depp really shows the psychical and emotional stress the case put on this detective by not being able to solve it out and trying time and time again until this journalist comes along. And Depp’s sheer emotion is incredible he can be so clam and collected and then just have such rage and anger in his eyes and he is able to walk that line so Well and show so many layers of who this man was and show him honestly and really give justice to the role. He’s mesmerizing in the film giving one of the best performances of his career and once again another masterful performance by Depp. 

Forest Whitaker : Whitaker delivers an astonishing supporting turn in this film! The Oscar winning actor has once again outdone himself. He amazed everyone with his work in the last king of Scotland and here he delivers another great performance in City Of Lies. He plays a journalist who just wants to bring the truth out no matter the coast. The sheer will power and drive that this man had was remarkable and Forest channels that so well onscreen and it comes across fantastically with great emotion and great delivery. You can see that this case is what the journalist eat sleeps and breaths as he is fully invested in it and Whitaker really was able to harness that and showcase a truly strong emotional performance that was scene stealing. When Forest speaks you can hear the raw emotion that this man has for this case and the look in his eye and the sound in his voice Whitaker is committed to every aspect of this film really shining in each moment he’s onscreen. He captivated me with his great ability to drive the character by emotion but not have it be too strong that it came off as overacting but was able to restrain his emotions in scenes and be very quiet but then would be very loud and passionate and that worked so well for the character and the performance he gives onscreen. It’s a sheer emotional driven performance that is brought to life incredibly well by Forest who gives a truly fantastic supporting performance that shouldn’t go overlooked. 

Brad Furman : Brad gives another greatly directed film. Here he exposes the truth about the  Biggie murder and really shows the man behind the curtain and for that sir I salute you. The film isn’t a bashing on the police but a true and authentic look at how the events went down and Brad was able to show that no matter how dark it went he never looked away from it but shows all of it and if it’s disturbing at times it’s not supposed to make you feel comfortable because this is what went down back in 97. That’s a massive achievement he brings to the picture is his ability to be honest and truthful to the subject matter and not sugarcoat or gloss over material but take it head on and show the truth of this case that has been hidden away for so long. On top of the fact he was able to get such great performances from his cast and really give a entertaining crime drama film with a truly eye opening story and great pacing that it never felt it was going to slow or fast but you were invested from beginning to the end. Brad was able to bounce back from 97 to more present day as it shows 97 and then in the future when the journalist investigates it and it never felt like it was getting tiring from jumping back and forth but it was so tightly and well done I didn’t mind it I actually enjoyed it. Brad dose a truly incredible job with his direction here I would go as far as saying it’s his best directed film yet he’s truly done something Marvelous here Brad you’ve outdone yourself amazing direction.