City of Hope Review
In City of Hope, John_Sayles thrusts the audience right into a drama playing out in their own backyard. And what a crowded backyard it is. The mythical city in turmoil is populated with more than a banana bunch of characters. Like Robert_Altman, the main American purveyor of ensemble filming, Sayles manages to keep his balls in the air with remarkable acumen. He switches conversations and viewpoints so often that it's remarkable that a story finds its way through, unlike Richard_Linklater's gimmicky Slacker from the same year. The film sometimes strays a little too close to a soap opera for a writer of Sayles's ability, but the quality cast keeps everything human and all of the players individualized. Joe_Morton and David_Strathairn, two of Sayles's regulars and two of America's most underrated actors, stand out, as does Vincent_Spano. The scenes between Spano and Tony_Lo_Bianco (his father) and Barbara_Williams his love interest) are worth the price of admission. Sayles, a true American auteur, once again writes, directs, edits, and has a role in the film. Brendon Hanley, Rovi
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