Night Falls on Manhattan

R

Released May 16, 1997

1 hr. 54 min.

Crime

Drama

List

70%

30 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

New attorney Sean Casey (Andy Garcia), a former policeman, has been unexpectedly tapped to prosecute a case against drug dealer Jordan Washington (Shiek Mahmud-Bey). Washington's lawyer, Sam Vigoda (Richard Dreyfuss), claims that there is a police cover-up against his client. However, Casey wins the trial and soon becomes county district attorney. It's then that he finds evidence that there may have really been corruption in the force, and it could involve his father, Liam (Ian Holm).

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Alec B

It's overstuffed with plot, characters, and speeches (so many, many speeches). Like most of Lumet's later work the film plays like a poor imitation of his earlier and better morality thrillers.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

Full Review

Ross F

Sidney Lumet directed. NYC. Cops. Attorneys. Nostalgia and courtroom drama. If you like Law & Order, you'll like this. Plus, Richard Dreyfuss as defense attorney.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

Full Review

Arthur D

Very good show! This movie was engaging, had drama, and some unpredictability. The main actors gave solid performances and played their part convincingly. The story went along smoothly with some unexpected twists and turns. Everything was brought together for the conclusion with some thought provoking questions to ponder.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/17/22

Full Review

Audience Member

I was pretty entertained and interested for most of this suspenseful legal drama that opened with a fairly captivating first fifteen minutes. The story takes a few different turns and gives the conflict multiple facets, connections, or dimensions from which to both present and explore it from. Lumet yet again adapts and brings to life a story focused on the seedier, rotten, and often less acknowledged underbelly of New York, utilizing the city as another cast member, to create the right element and emotional aesthetic throughout his films. I always am thankful for a James Gandolfini sighting and while he was definitely next in the running I have to give the MVP to Ron Leibman who brought a larger than life personality to his role as DA Morgenstern that I was totally eating up. A few other familiar faces from The Sopranos series were featured as well including Dominic Chianese as the judge. This certainly felt indicative of the mid 90s suspense drama that, while sometimes blander and more quaint looking watching today, can still offer a comforting feeling of nostalgia, even if I have never seen the actual film before. 6.5/10

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not the best work of Sidney Lumet. Anyway, this policial drama has interesting enough to watch, but not much more.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

peter w

Overall, I found this film to be rather satisfying. Performances by Andy Garcia, Ian Holm, Richard Dreyfuss, and the late James Gandolfini were all truly excellent. The plot itself was also unpredictable, and I found myself enjoying the story of this film as it combined crime, drama, and thriller. Thanks to Imprint Films in Australia, I'm personally delighted and proud to own this film within my collection - Walkden Entertainment

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Sidney Lumet

Director

Andy Garcia

Sean Casey

Lena Olin

Peggy Lindstrom

Richard Dreyfuss

Sam Vigoda

Ian Holm

Liam Casey

Ron Leibman

Morganstern

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Night Falls on Manhattan: Official Clip - Washington Surrenders Unscathed

2:13

Night Falls on Manhattan: Official Clip - Tiny White Sneakers

2:00

Night Falls on Manhattan: Official Clip - Nail the Son of a Bitch

2:04

Night Falls on Manhattan: Official Clip - You're Garbage! You're Nothing!

1:46

Night Falls on Manhattan: Official Clip - Everybody's Innocent

1:31

Night Falls on Manhattan: Official Clip - Send Back-Up, Come Heavy

2:12

Night Falls on Manhattan: Official Clip - They're Coming On After You

2:10

Night Falls on Manhattan: Official Clip - Case Closed

2:12

Night Falls on Manhattan: Official Clip - Do You Hear Me?!

2:13

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 12, 2002

Full Review

Mike Clark

USA Today

Its maker's best since 1988's Running on Empty and maybe even '82's The Verdict.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

It’s only as the picture progresses into an admittedly unpredictable yet comparatively less-than-enthralling midsection that one’s interest begins to flag...

Rated: 3/4

Jul 20, 2023

Full Review

Joe Leydon

The Moving Picture Show

Lumet give us a persuasively detailed and emotionally intense film that brings out the best in just about everybody involved.

Jun 25, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

About New York City police corruption.

Rated: B

May 4, 2011

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

New attorney Sean Casey (Andy Garcia), a former policeman, has been unexpectedly tapped to prosecute a case against drug dealer Jordan Washington (Shiek Mahmud-Bey). Washington's lawyer, Sam Vigoda (Richard Dreyfuss), claims that there is a police cover-up against his client. However, Casey wins the trial and soon becomes county district attorney. It's then that he finds evidence that there may have really been corruption in the force, and it could involve his father, Liam (Ian Holm).

Director: Sidney Lumet
Screenwriter: Robert Daley, Sidney Lumet
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.9M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1), 35mm

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