City of Industry (1997)

Against my better judgment I just totally disregarded Gene Siskel and went for it. I just saw a magnificent motion picture. I will see it again. The locale scenes were absorbing.The plot was complicated but evident. One thing led to another. This will turn into a cult film. Yes, I voted 10 for City of Industry. Fine acting, fine filming, and a fine time. See it and then let me know..

Fmovies: This is one of my favorite movies - great film noir and certain to have a cult following. I saw it because I am always fascinated with the characters Harvey Keitel plays - he brings an emotional and physical intensity to his roles that is unequaled. Here he is outstanding as Roy Egan- an experienced, complicated thief who never says much. He is convinced by his brother Lee to rob a jewelry store ( when is Harvey going to learn not to rob jewelry stores?) They are joined by Lee's friends Jorge and Skip - these are four macho guys who we care about because they care about each other - except Skip who doesn't seem to care about anything. When the heist goes bad, Roy spends the rest of the movie hunting down the guy who betrayed him. There is a scene when Roy is alone in a hotel room and begins to pound a table - even though he says nothing, we can feel his fury and frustration building - this is Keitel at his best. All the acting in this movie is great - the four male leads are well- cast and work well together, and Jorge's wife Rachel is sympathetic as a young mother who wants to do what's best for her kids. Elliot Gould has a small part as a loan shark and Lucy Liu shows up briefly as an exotic dancer. The locations are interesting - this is the true dark side of L.A., and the ending - though violent- is satisfying and stays with you. This movie also has one of the best soundtracks I've heard. City of Industry will grab you and pull you in at the opening credits and not let you go until the very end.

the title "City of Industry" did nothing to sway me to watch this film. the cast brought me in to it's dark world, and i am forever greatful. harvey keitel first off - then i found a new femme fatale in famke janssen - then an incredible new villain in stephen dorff - and the list goes on, with an incredible film score and blend of unique artists, no superstars but viable musicians that make you want to hear more. note: after viewing COI the first time, the next day i bought the soundtrack album. since my first viewing, i play the soundtrack in my car going to work. i have watched this film approximately 50 times. i have turned many friends on to it. i still get an rush everytime i watch it. it is truly one of the great sleepers, probably because of the title. today, i think the title is very hip. but had it not been for the cast, i might never have seen this incredible film. truly one of keitel's best! the opening credits and charismatic music should lock you in for the ride of your life. once the film starts, you cannot stop watching! i compare this film to "American Beauty" in that i compare AB to "Panic" with william h. macy - another sleeper which has gone on to receive phenomenal post-acclaim. **** almost every review. if you can make it through the violence (it is brutal like "True Romance" - but not overly gratuitous - the violence is there for a definite reason}, i promise you that this film will leave an indelible mark on your mind and that you will never forget this film ever! it is, without a doubt, a movie to be remembered.

City of Industry fmovies. It has a perfect set-up for character establishment followed by a few surprises and then the chase is on between the young arrogant Skip,(Dorff), and the old but wiser Roy, (Keitel). You may forgive the film as it falls into "tough guy with heart and romance for weeping woman" scenario but that's part of the genre. The perfect hard hitting gritty drama for a late, late night viewing to keep one awake.

This is a studio character with tones of suspense about some two-fisted criminals in L.A city . An old thief named Roy Egan (Harvey Keitel) , is drawn into the final jewel heist to Russian Mafia when his youngest brother named Lee (Timothy Hutton) asks him for a last score before they get out of the game . Lee forms a motley group (Keitel , Wade Dominguez and Stephen Dorff) to carry out the violent robbing . Unfortunately for him , Lee's picked one wrong partner and the events get worse . One of them decides he doesn't want to share the goods and betrays the group and happens murders and wreak havoc .The retired thief swears revenge on the lunatic who murdered his partners, while going on the run with the loot they stole.

This modern adaptation of noir cinema contains thrills , intrigue, explosive scenes of action and over-riding feeling of heat . Interesting premise in which takes places a moving cat-and-mouse hunt through the seedier sides of L.A . Exciting and stirring finale full of shootouts , violence and fights into a factory . Good performances from all-star cast as Harvey Keitel as an old pro robber who has vowed to avenge his brother , Stephen Dorff as a volatile , violent wheelman and Famke Janssen as a suffering wife . Nice musical score including an emotive song at the beginning . Colorful cinematography by Thomas Burstyn who permeates the whole movie even in the hours of night and darkness .

The motion picture is professionally directed by John Irvin with a well-achieved realization and elaborate scenes , though doesn't always live up to its promise . He worked extensively in TV before making his film debut with ¨The dogs of war¨ a cool rendition of a best-seller by Frederick Forsyth dealing with mercenaries in Africa. He went on directing ¨Ghost story¨ starred by old Hollywood-all-star and ¨Champions¨ about a courageous recovery from cancer stricken a steeple-chase jockey . After that , he realized a fine Vietnam movie as ¨The Hamburger Hill¨, ¨Turtle diary¨, an Arnold Szwenegger vehicle as ¨Raw Deal¨ and a good and realistic TV ¨Robin Hood¨. Finally , he made underrated films that not had the same inspiration since them as ¨Next of kin¨ , ¨Eminent domain¨ , ¨Freefall¨ and a sparkling comedy ,¨Widows peak¨ and is also of note a wartime genre as ¨When trumpets fade¨(1998). And of course , ¨City of Industry¨ , being one of the jewels in Irvin's crown , it results to be one of this most interesting works and an efficient contemporary Noir which had moderated success .

Sure, you can find some plots holes in this film big enough to drive a semi through, but that just keeps it from gathering awards, not from being worth a view.

If you like revenge flicks, and noir, and lots of action, as well as a look at Lucy's Little Lius as she does a pole dance, then you might find this film interesting.

What makes it most interesting, however, is the presence of Harvey Keitel. Having him hunting you down is a real bummer. He manages to get shot and almost beat to a pulp by the Chinese, and still keeps on ticking like a Timex. Maybe he just dreamed of being on the beach in Port Arthur with Famke Janssen (of X-Men fame). It could have happened! Check it out to see who wins and loses and enjoy the ride because it is worth it.