Broken Cityis making a surprise comeback, and you won’t need to pay a dime to revisit the crime thriller set in the streets of fictional New York. Starting July 1, the 2013 film starringMark WahlbergandRussell Crowewill be streaming for free onTubi, giving viewers a second shot at a film thatnever quite lived up to its pedigree but still packs enough punchto warrant a casual rewatch. So, just in case this slipped away from your radar a decade ago, here’s a great way to catch up.
Directed byAllen Hughes(The Book of Eli),Broken Citylooked like a sure-fire hit on paper. With an A-list cast and a sizable budget,Broken Citysees Wahlberg as a disgraced NYPD detective, Crowe as a corrupt mayor with a God complex, andCatherine Zeta-Jonesas a political wife with secrets to burn. But somehow the cocktail didn’t quite hit the mark with audiences. A synopsis of the film reads:
“Former cop Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) sees a chance at redemption for past sins when New York City’s Mayor Nicolas Hostetler (Russell Crowe) calls on him for a special job. Hostetler thinks his wife, Cathleen (Catherine Zeta-Jones), is having an affair and that it may hurt his chances for re-election. However, a bigger scandal than expected pulls in Billy right at the start of his investigation. Double-crossed by the mayor, Billy begins a relentless quest for justice.”
Tubi’s decision to pick up the title highlights the streamer’s growing focus on box-office misfires that have the potentialto develop a second life in the digital age. For those who missedBroken Citythe first time around (and let’s be honest, that’s most people), or for those who just simply love Wahlberg and Crowe no matter the material, this is an opportunity to watch two A-listers go toe-to-toe.
‘Broken City’ Took a Beating From Critics but Fared Better With the Audience
In theory, the cast is exciting, but the production was judged as a bit monochromatic and lacking in any real sense of ingenuity.Broken Citywas, well, broken.Critics weren’t kind. Shot on a budget of $35 million, it managed to rake in just $34.7 million worldwide. The film sits at a dismal 26% onRotten Tomatoes, with many pointing to its predictability, lack of depth, and convoluted political plotting.It fared slightly better among the audienceswho were more lenient with their 40% Popcornmeter rating, makingBroken Cityone of those rare thrillers that failed to thrill.
However, if you intend on indulging in some nostalgic movie-watching, thenBroken Cityholds a certain throwback charm to when studios were still investing in original, mid-budget crime dramasthat weren’t trying to launch a franchise. In that sense,Broken Cityfeels like a relic from a fading Hollywood era that is worth checking out.
you’re able to watch the trailer above and catchBroken Cityfor free on Tubi starting July 1.
Broken City
Source:Tubi
