Another patriotic American Movie. Narrative a la Al Pacino, and politics... was what I thought initially.

It was a thorough one though - and narrated by John Cusack more than Al. Which might give you some hints about how things'd turn out in the movie.

It starts with a murder, and you think it's just a starting point, not as central a piece of the plot as it turns out to be. The corruption runs deep though. As do the feelings. The intrigue. The hazards and gambles of a government job - but also the glamor and high-talking that leads it all along...

I'm really not into politics in real life, but it's fascinating how captivated this movie kept me. The dialog, the characters... it's in the way they interact, and in what they say, more than what actually happens - even though there certainly is a lot of scandal and corruption a brewing too, in what starts with a seemingly simple murder case.

They speak so political I don't understand half of what they're saying, but I do love the way they say it. And I wonder what happened to the mayor, as well as the widow wife...

So there are certain loose ends, but it's an impressive movie, and glimpse into City Hall N.Y.

Maybe the most realistic one they'll ever let you see.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle