Veteran actor Robert DeNiro is back in New York for this competent character study of a man facing the demons of his past, present and future in City By The Sea. This detective yarn is set in Long Beach NY, a seaside community that passed its heyday some 40 years ago and now is a washed-out shell of its former self. The film begins with a stunning juxtaposition of the glorious crowded past (shot in pastel-centred grainy ‘Zagruder-like video) and the stark deserted present of this once proud New York suburb.

     DeNiro plays New York City cop Vincent Lamarca, who begins an investigation of a murder that originates in his hometown of Long Beach. Soon he realizes (much later than the audience) that his son may be responsible for the murder. The story creaks and groans through some typical plot twists and crams as much information into the film as possible (so much so that a later scene between Lamarca and his girlfriend parodies the excessive drama).

     The development of DeNiro’s Lamarca character — from a silent and stoic shutdown cop to a person wanting a second chance at being a father — is more important and, ultimately, more effective than the main crime plot. This isn’t vintage DeNiro, a la Raging Bull, Taxi Driver or even The Score. The tour-de-force performance in the film belongs once again to Francis McDormand, quickly becoming the best female actor since Kate Hepburn and possibly the best actor on screen today — period. In a supporting role as DeNiro’s romantic interest, Michelle, McDormand effortlessly exudes love, anger, concern and fear like it was completely real. Even with little character development, Ms McDormand’s subtleties kick DeNiro’s acting chops down the stairs.

     Though credible, the rest of the story seems to creak along at an exasperatingly slow pace. In many scenes, it feels like writer Ken Hixon and director Michael Caton-Jones tried so hard to create a serious piece that they overloaded it with too many sad things. There were also times that the literary marionette strings were visible in some scenes.

     The film’s organization becomes mired by weak editing and unbelievable plot twists, despite the humour injected into some of the dramatic scenes. When Lamarca finally reveals to Michelle his past and current situations, we see Michelle react as Lemarca drops one bombshell after another. McDormand’s expression during this scene alone makes this film a good renter.

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