Broken City

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Broken City

R

Released Jan 18, 2013

1h 48m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

26%

Tomatometer

152 Reviews

40%

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25,000+ Ratings

Former cop Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) sees a chance at redemption for past sins when New York City's Mayor Nicolas Hostetler (Russell Crowe) calls on him for a special job. Hostetler thinks his wife, Cathleen (Catherine Zeta-Jones), is having an affair and that it may hurt his chances for re-election. However, a bigger scandal than expected pulls in Billy right at the start of his investigation. Double-crossed by the mayor, Billy begins a relentless quest for justice.

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Critics Consensus

Broken City's thinly sketched, formulaic script offers meager rewards for all but the least demanding noir aficionados.

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Wesley Morris

Grantland

It's a local-government corruption thriller that doesn't care about logic or consistency or the people watching it.

Jan 6, 2014

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Wahlberg and Crowe. Together at last. So overwhelming. Can't breathe for testosterone. Can't even write complete sentences.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 1, 2013

Full Review

Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph (UK)

When it comes to long-form tales of political intrigue, television serials are fast encroaching on cinema's patch, and if this very ordinary thriller is the best Hollywood can do, it might as well cede the whole territory.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 1, 2013

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

As it turns out, Broken City is made out of an aluminum chain of recycled Hollywood cookie cutters.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 18, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Not much of anything works in Broken City, making the title more than apt.

Rated: 1.5/4

Sep 20, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

For me, the biggest problem with “Broken City” reveals itself early and persists through the entire picture. There is practically no fire or energy shown in any facet of movie.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 19, 2022

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Daniel L

Es buena película entretenida

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/05/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 48 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Sexual Content, Pervasive Language and Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $19,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

A predictable, but entertaining political thriller that sad to say would have been better if they cut the romantic sub plot from the entirety of the movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/17/24

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T T

Cool movie. That said, there were multiple plot holes. Russell Crowe and Mark Wahlberg did a great job. On the other hand, Natalie Martinez was annoying or at least the character she played totally sucked. There were a couple of plot twists and turns that kept the movie interesting and entertaining.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/20/23

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Matt P

Wasn't too bad. Considering I've recently seen mile 22 with mark in and that was terrible. Catherine didn't have much to say, and the movie looks a bit dark. Crowe is over the top and trying to bring life or his chapter but that gets in the way. I do think mark has talent and he fit in quite well. I despised the actress in this sorry who cheated. Preferred the blonde who helped marks character in his office. Ah well. Maybe they'll make a follow up that could be interesting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Just not there. Action and acting is not good as well as the story. Disappointing because it seemed like it should have been entertaining

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/13/22

Full Review

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Allen Hughes

Director

Mark Wahlberg

Billy Taggart

Russell Crowe

Mayor Hostetler

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Cathleen Hostetler

Jeffrey Wright

Fairbanks

Barry Pepper

Jack Valliant

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Synopsis

Former cop Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) sees a chance at redemption for past sins when New York City's Mayor Nicolas Hostetler (Russell Crowe) calls on him for a special job. Hostetler thinks his wife, Cathleen (Catherine Zeta-Jones), is having an affair and that it may hurt his chances for re-election. However, a bigger scandal than expected pulls in Billy right at the start of his investigation. Double-crossed by the mayor, Billy begins a relentless quest for justice.

Director: Allen Hughes
Producer: Randall Emmett, Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Arnon Milchan, Teddy Schwarzman, Allen Hughes, Remington Chase
Screenwriter: Brian Tucker
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Allen Hughes, Emmett/Furla Films, Closest to the Hole, New Regency Pictures, Leverage Communications
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Pervasive Language|Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 18, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 30, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.7M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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