I would have liked to have issued a "7" to The Yards, because of its credible, accessible, taut story and excellent acting and cast, but the ending was lack-luster. The movie deserved a better ending than the unconvincing testimony of Wahlberg's character (Leo Handler) at the final scene's hearing. The over-all dreariness of the colors in the movie made it appear morose, as well. Contrast the endings and overall tones of The Yards with a similar story, Marked Man: In The Yards, a savvy, tough, recently-released man is dumb enough to get suckered in to a con game, even though he should know better and "wants to be a productive member of society"? In Marked Man, an escaped individual does everything in his power to stay alive and turn the tables on those responsible for the (new) crime he is being accused of. Both hypotheses are believable, but its a bit hard to swallow: the fact that Handler gets in over his head without ever showing any suspicion of the people he's associating with or the "work" to be done.
It seems that money is the only thing that really matters to him, despite what he says about personal industry. This makes the character hard to fully support. The colors that the director of The Yards chose to issue the film in are dark and dismal: There are no scenes of beauty. In Marked Man, there are many outdoor scenes, full of brightness and life. In the end of that movie, Roddy Piper's character skillfully and successfully persists in getting the goods on those responsible, clearing his name in the process. I would have liked to have seen a better ending for The Yards: Perhaps James Caan's character spilling the beans on the whole caper, just to take down his adversary, even if it means his incarceration, as well. Maybe he demands that some lenience be afforded to Handler (his nephew) as part of the deal. In any case, Handler would be going back to prison for assault and battery on a police officer, possibly conspiracy, and he only would have himself to blame. A more dynamic character for Chalize Theron would have given the story more texture and substance: Perhaps, with the help of Joaquin Phoenix's character and Handler, she steals important documents or recordings that implicate the top dogs in the flim-flam. Wahlberg's acting was a bit wooden and I'm not sure Phoenix has the chops to act alongside the great James Caan (and Ellen Burstyn). This is a good movie that would have done better with more dynamic female characters, better lighting and a novel ending.
It seems that money is the only thing that really matters to him, despite what he says about personal industry. This makes the character hard to fully support. The colors that the director of The Yards chose to issue the film in are dark and dismal: There are no scenes of beauty. In Marked Man, there are many outdoor scenes, full of brightness and life. In the end of that movie, Roddy Piper's character skillfully and successfully persists in getting the goods on those responsible, clearing his name in the process. I would have liked to have seen a better ending for The Yards: Perhaps James Caan's character spilling the beans on the whole caper, just to take down his adversary, even if it means his incarceration, as well. Maybe he demands that some lenience be afforded to Handler (his nephew) as part of the deal. In any case, Handler would be going back to prison for assault and battery on a police officer, possibly conspiracy, and he only would have himself to blame. A more dynamic character for Chalize Theron would have given the story more texture and substance: Perhaps, with the help of Joaquin Phoenix's character and Handler, she steals important documents or recordings that implicate the top dogs in the flim-flam. Wahlberg's acting was a bit wooden and I'm not sure Phoenix has the chops to act alongside the great James Caan (and Ellen Burstyn). This is a good movie that would have done better with more dynamic female characters, better lighting and a novel ending.