Three years in prison and out on parole, attractive and muscular Mark Wahlberg (as Leo Handler) rides the New York City subway to his home in Queens. His mother and friends have a surprise "Welcome Home, Leo" party for Mr. Walberg, with his best pal Joaquin Phoenix (as Willie Gutierrez) and girlfriend Charlize Theron (as Erica Soltz) in attendance. Walberg's goal is to get a good job and stay out of trouble. Fat chance
You know when Walberg glances at a cop on the subway where this story is going. In this type of movie, the hapless hero is reluctantly drawn back into a life of crime. This usually begins when the star agrees to assist a friend's criminal activity – in a relative safe position, such as a "lookout" or driver. Then, something goes terribly wrong. A mother's heart is broken. The young men fight over the girl. Police are involved – and, if an officer gets hurt, there could be hell to pay...
"The Yards" may not have been the best title for this crime drama. It refers to New York City's railroad yards, where subway trains are maintained.
Written (with Matt Reeves) and directed by James Gray, the story follows very familiar tracks. Having characters play out a fairly predictable plot is not necessarily bad – but you do expect some significant deviations. The most striking may be that Ms. Theron's make-up and manners seem way too hip for her character and the setting. With blue-black shellac in his hair, Mr. Phoenix appears like the 1950s "Elvis". Wahlberg delivers moody doom well for Mr. Gray. There is good support from shady businessman James Caan (as Frank Olchin). He and Gray are obviously going from "On the Waterfront" to "The Godfather" in the scene where Mr. Caan discusses "business" with his associates. Ellen Burstyn is fine in a small part, but Faye Dunaway has nothing much to do in an even smaller role. Vegas-style singer Steve Lawrence (as Arthur Mydanick) is very effective. Harris Savides' photography is stylish.
"The Yards" is circulated with different edits. Thematically bracketing the opening, the "theatrical version" version is superior to the "director's cut".
****** The Yards (4/27/00) James Gray ~ Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, James Caan
"The Yards" may not have been the best title for this crime drama. It refers to New York City's railroad yards, where subway trains are maintained.
Written (with Matt Reeves) and directed by James Gray, the story follows very familiar tracks. Having characters play out a fairly predictable plot is not necessarily bad – but you do expect some significant deviations. The most striking may be that Ms. Theron's make-up and manners seem way too hip for her character and the setting. With blue-black shellac in his hair, Mr. Phoenix appears like the 1950s "Elvis". Wahlberg delivers moody doom well for Mr. Gray. There is good support from shady businessman James Caan (as Frank Olchin). He and Gray are obviously going from "On the Waterfront" to "The Godfather" in the scene where Mr. Caan discusses "business" with his associates. Ellen Burstyn is fine in a small part, but Faye Dunaway has nothing much to do in an even smaller role. Vegas-style singer Steve Lawrence (as Arthur Mydanick) is very effective. Harris Savides' photography is stylish.
"The Yards" is circulated with different edits. Thematically bracketing the opening, the "theatrical version" version is superior to the "director's cut".
****** The Yards (4/27/00) James Gray ~ Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, James Caan