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      Empire

      2002, Crime/Drama, 1h 35m

      101 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      In terms of the gangster genre, Empire's story is yet another tired retread. Read critic reviews

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      Empire  Photos

      JOHN LEGUIZAMO (left) and VINCENT LARESCA (second from right) take five with friends on the set of Empire. JOHN LEGUIZAMO and director FRANC. REYES Jimmy (VINCENT LARESCA) steps in when Victor gives up his business interests on the street. Victor's girlfriend Carmen (DELILAH COTTO) is a college student from the South Bronx. Rafael Menendez (NESTOR SERRANO) is La Colombiana's enforcer. Chedda (TREACH) is part of Victor's South Bronx crew. Jack (PETER SARSGAARD), an investment banker and Trish's boyfriend, offers Victor entrée into the legit world. Isabella Rossellini is La Colombiana in EMPIRE. Fat Joe is Tito Severe in EMPIRE. Gangster Victor Rosa (JOHN LEGUIZAMO) is determined to make the leap from the South Bronx to Wall Street. Peter Sarsgaard is Jack Wimmer in EMPIRE. La Colombiana (ISABELLA ROSSELLINI) is a tough business woman. Victor (JOHN LEGUIZAMO) and Jimmy (VINCENT LARESCA) have a long history and a strong bond. Jack (PETER SARSGAARD) offers Victor (JOHN LEGUIZAMO) a shot at a major Wall Street score. Victor (JOHN LEGUIZAMO) and his girlfriend Carmen (DELILAH COTTO) have big plans for the future. John Leguizamo and Nestor Serrano in EMPIRE. Vincent Laresca is Jimmy in EMPIRE. Trish (DENISE RICHARDS) introduces Victor and Carmen to a sophisticated downtown lifestyle. Victor Rosa (JOHN LEGUIZAMO) sees himself as a self-made entrepreneur a la Rockefeller, Carnegie and Gates. Director FRANC. REYES

      Movie Info

      For Victor Rosa (John Leguizamo), that blunt world-view has come to define his life. A Latino hustler from the South Bronx, Victor has worked his way up the neighborhood ladder to become a crew leader for Joanna "La Columbiana" Menendez (Isabella Rossellini). But after narrowly escaping an attempt on his life, Victor realizes that he needs to get out of the Bronx, both for himself and for his girlfriend, Carmen (Sonia Braga), the only thing more important to him than money.

      • Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Content|Some Sexuality|Strong Violence)

      • Genre: Crime, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Franc. Reyes

      • Producer: Daniel Bigel, Michael Mailer

      • Writer: Franc. Reyes

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $17.5M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Universal Pictures

      • Production Co: Arenas

      • Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR

      • Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

      Cast & Crew

      News & Interviews for Empire

      Critic Reviews for Empire

      Audience Reviews for Empire

      • Aug 01, 2012

        I was really disappointed with this one. I really didn't like the writing. First off, the story was way to simple and uninteresting. It had good potential but just didn't deliver. The conclusion was a little to weak. The acting was okay. Mostly only by the main actors and not the supporting cast. But I have seen worse. The directing was okay. Although I did not like the the way the shooting scenes where directed. The production values where okay as well. Nothing special and overall this film is not that great.

        Super Reviewer
      • Apr 09, 2012

        Tragic story but the message is pretty clear, crime does not pay

        brendan n Super Reviewer
      • Apr 17, 2011

        Familiar, yes. Cliched, yes. But the leads make it watchable, even mostly entertaining, with the bulk of that credit going to John Leguizamo.

        Super Reviewer
      • Jan 16, 2008

        Good film, great performance by John Leguizamo.

        Super Reviewer

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