Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Pluskylang Great Film overall

Caryl It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Ziglet_mir John Sayles knows how to write a movie. More than that, however, Sayles knows how to compose such a fantastic ending to a movie. He can weave concepts and ideas from scene to scene and from character to character showing us all the different shades of the spectrum while still maintaining a mostly unbiased view of politics and corruption. In Sayles' City of Hope, this is no different, and I am not surprised that as I peruse through it's film page that less then 2,000 people have viewed this cinematic genius at work. Throughout the film, we are introduced to an easy count of 30 characters, who we can understand and compare, whether they're on screen for one hour or one minute. Vincent Spano and Joe Morton hold the most ground and screen time while never letting the viewer down on their performance. While Tony Lo Bianco and John Sayles are nothing short of brilliant in their roles as well. But above them all, David Straithairn subtly steals the show with one helluva performance that we never take full notice of until the incredible ending.I love how Sayles gave himself and Kevin Tighe the ugliest characters in the film (after seeing him do so well in Sayles earlier masterpiece, Matewan). All I can say is that this film is absolutely worth watching. It reminds us (as it reminded me) how badly society needs help and how problems don't go away until it is finally realized that such problems exist. The separation between social classes is apparent and it is also the major issue that Sayles weaves in and out of most of his character motives. Racial slurs, bigotry, prejudice, and politics are all where Sayles points the blame in this film. And by the end, Sayles has us wanting more as we see the lowest and most unnoticed character in the entire film shout for help and is totally unheard. 10/10

Brad Coffey Like another Sayles film, Matewan, this really is one of the little known very solid films of our time. This precursor for Crash is a compelling look at the substantial impact strangers may have on each other.While the acting is at times somewhat melodramatic, the direction of the film is typical of the brilliant Sayles. The film contains some very interesting tracking shots where inter-connected characters unwittingly enter and exit each other's lives.Unfortunately, the film's title often has it mistaken for the awful "City of Joy" featuring Patrick Swayze

jrodman-1 This has become one of my favorite movies, and I am happy to see it return to cable showings. Because of the large ensemble cast, I think that it benefits from more than one viewing. I am struck by the contrast among the characters trying to their best despite hardships (Wynn, Angela, Jeanette, who is Desmond's mother, Les, who has been mugged, and Nidia, on council with Wynn), characters who mean well but ultimately fail (Joe is the classic), and characters corrupted beyond redemption (Carl-- and I love it that Sayles gave himself the nastiest character, assistant D.A. Zimmer, Mayor Baci, and O'Brien-- Kevin Tighe must be Sayles' favorite sleaze-ball). And where will Nick end up if he survives? It is interesting to see actors again in Sayles' films (Chris Cooper-- always good, Joe Morton, Angela Bassett, Tom Wright-- the ultra-activist-- did anyone else recognize him as Flash Phillips from "Sunshine State?", and David Straithairn-- what a role for him!) Errol, the retired mayor who advises Wynn on the golf course, has some very interesting things to say that bear attention. Just how does one lead? And how does one become a leader without compromising himself? Where is that line drawn? Music is used effectively as well. I like whatever it is that is playing on Vinnie's boom box at the end when Nick comes to Carl's shop to confront him (I can't read the titles on the red credits at the end, and they don't appear on the IMDb). And I love the Neville Brothers' "Fearless" at the end. Perfect.Watch this movie.

TheMrLee The 6 I gave "City of Hope" is the lowest rating I've given any Sayles film. I'm a bit loathe to give any of his films a poor rating because he makes such though-provoking films, but "City of Hope" never came together for me. Unlike the many different characters and situations he pulled together in his masterful "Lone Star," "City of Hope" felt disjointed, as if the stories where connected only superficially. I suspect it needs another fifteen minutes to pull everything together, but since Sayles has complete control over his films, the lack of end coherence must be blamed on him.There are some wonderful performances in this film, especially Vincent Spano, who seems to have disappeared from film.Well worth checking out, but I'd suggest watching "Lone Star," "Matewan," "Passion Fish," and "Men with Guns" first.