City By The Sea (2002) * * *

Directed by:  Michael Caton-Jones

Starring:  Robert DeNiro, James Franco, Frances McDormand, William Forsythe, George Dzundza

Vincent LaMarca is a New York detective investigating the murder of a local drug dealer whose body washed ashore in the East River.    The dealer resided in a run-down beach resort nicknamed "The City By The Sea".   Judging by the empty boardwalk and abandoned amusement and casino areas, this place's better days were long, long ago.     It is now populated mostly by criminals and junkies, one of which is Joey, who becomes the prime suspect in the death and is Vincent's estranged son. 

Vincent is a veteran cop whose father was executed for murdering a child during a kidnapping.    He has long-held resentment for his father, who he feels abandoned him.     Vincent was once married to Joey's mother, but walked out on them when Joey was a little boy, so Joey is understandably angry with his father.     The theme of abandonment and how it shapes a person is the central theme of City By The Sea.    When it studies this, it is much more effective than when it deals with the murder investigation.    The murder investigation is typical police procedural and Joey's guilt is not in doubt.    What is in doubt is whether Vincent has any hope of reconciling with his son, who is now strung out on drugs and claims he killed the dealer in self-defense.      Vincent pleads with his son to turn himself in and face the consequences.  

DeNiro's performance is a quiet study of a man in conflict with his past and with himself.     When he sees Joey for the first time in many years, he is face-to-face with the results of his actions.     He sees a young man whose life could've been valuable and productive, but turned to drugs and crime to dull his pain.    When he says, "You don't even know me," to his father, we sense Joey's anger.    Franco, as Joey, doesn't go over the top, which many actors in this role might do.    Most of his resentment is internalized and he doesn't quite know the words to communicate his rage.  

Another key performance is by Frances McDormand as Michelle, Vincent's girlfriend who lives in the same apartment building.     She loves him, but senses he has secrets.    When she learns of his dilemma, she laments honestly that she wasn't prepared to handle this news.     How many of us would be equipped to handle it?

City By The Sea also has a local hoodlum named Spyder (Forsythe), who is looking for Joey for reasons of his own.    He wants to kill Joey because, after all, one of his pushers is dead and Spyder will lose face if he doesn't send a message to others who may want to cross him.     Spyder is menacing and a suitable villain, but is he really necessary?    

Vincent believes that if you make a mistake you must answer for it.     He believes it in Joey's case.    At the end, when is alone on the beach with his grandson (who is introduced in a surprising development), he recognizes that he is answering for his as well.