The Yards (2000)

I've just read someone else's review of this film that claims there are too many subplots, that it is too melodramatic and that there is so much going on the reviewer ended up not caring what happened.

This could not be further from the truth. There are only a couple of subplots, and they are very basic, easy-to-understand concepts that do not get in the way of the main theme.

I would also contest that this is a 'romance'. Whilst this is one of the subplots, putting it under 'romance' as one of the main genres is mildly misleading.

The performances from all central actors are excellent. As my title suggests this is a slow-burner but Walburg puts in a great performance and I DID care what happened to him in the end.

Oh, and listen out for the soundtrack. It really is quite striking.

Fmovies: This poetic film appears to create a particular style to tell its story, it isn't a "ride" as people often describe films lately, it's an experience. Production values are exceptional, it's beautifully written, directed, shot and edited, gorgeously acted, featuring a first-rate performance by Mark Wahlberg.

I find it a true shock to find out that The Yards only gets 6,5 out of 10. First of all the actors put down an amazing performance. Joachim Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron are truely rising stars.

Most people may find the Shakespeare-like tragedy not their kind of cake. I find it refreshing none the less: I'm sick and tired of all the good guys/bad guys kind of movies who all end happy.

Thank you, James Gray, for your amazing masterpiece!

The Yards fmovies. The Yards is simply one of those classic movies rare to find these days. Unfortunately it hasn't achieved much success (At least in my country), and that's a crying shame. I really can't see why, because it's got everything that makes a movie good (Great acting, a great cast, and a well-developed storyline). This is one of those films I need to see again just for the pleasure of it.

Nothing else to say, simply watch it whenever you have the chance. You won't be disappointed.

10/10.

The cast and acting in this crime/drama is great, but the actors are let down by a melodramatic script that is too busy. "The Yards" is a character-driven story, but the problem is that the script has too many subplots going on which doesn't give us the time we need to know and care about the characters. By the end I really didn't care what happened, because I didn't know the characters and didn't care how the plot was resolved.

Basically "The Yards" tells the story of Leo, a working class young man who returns home from a stint in prison to his ailing mother. His best friend, Willie, takes him on at Leo's step-uncle's subway train outfitting business, where things aren't exactly above-the-board. Leo gets more involved in the business and things go awry. And along the way, there's a hundred and one subplots.

This movie had some nice moments, and great acting, but it can't rise above a script that tries to pack too much plot into too little time.

The yards is a film about the shady on-goings of the contractors in New York City who work to rebuild the city's subway cars. Underneath the suits are ruthless mean trying to get ahead in the busines by whatever means necassary. Everything seems to be going fine until Leo Handler (Wahlberg) gets out of prison and enters into the dark business himself, his presence will trigger a series of events that will rock their dangerous world.

Leo finds that his aunt (Dunaway) has married one of the biggest contractors, Frank Olchin (Caan). With no money and a patrol officer breathing down his back, his mother (Burstyn) in bad shape, Leo turns to Frank to help him out by giving him a job in his successful business. Leo wants to follow in his best friend, Willie's (Phoenix) footsteps in the business, 'cause it seems Willie is doing ok for himself, with enough cash to spare for his girlfriend (Theron) and consequently Leo's cousin and one-time-love. But when a money-deal goes wrong, Willie kills a yard-master and Leo beats a cop into a coma - something that could see him revisiting prison and getting a life sentence. Now Leo is on the run, and blamed for the murder aswell. The business that welcomed him with open arms, is now looking to get rid of him, before he brings down all they worked for.

The Yards is slow at times. The story-telling appears to go at a snails pace, but thats ok, because the story-tellers (the actors) are more than enthralling enough to entertain for the whole 110 minutes. Wahlberg is deep and moody as always, and while the performance mirrors alot of his previous works, he still seems to have 'something' that keeps you hooked. Theron proves she is more than just a pretty face as she plays a soft-spoken character who has much to hide and slowly reveal as the plot thickens. But the out-standing performance is Joaquin Phoenix. This man can do no wrong and is seriously one of the best actors of our time. He is disturbingly dark at times, but can easily switch gears and play-out the most emotionally intense scene with just a single tear running down his cheek. this man is amazing, and one day justice should be carried out and he should be handed an Oscar.

Watch this film, if for nothing more than to check out the Wahlberg/Phoenix punch-up which the actors really participated in (and were apparently black and blue the next day). Great, great film.