THE YARDS

2000

I'll often find it difficult to enjoy a film if I find the subject matter thoroughly distasteful, or the characters similar to the slugs that crawl out when you pick up a rock in the woods. Such should have been the case with "The Yards." However, it's so well written, well-directed, and especially, well-acted by an ensemble cast, that I have to put aside my prejudices and rank this as the best film of the Film Festival so far. The drama, told at a very slow pace, is set in the world of the New York City subway yards, and involves a young man, just out of prison, who gets swept up in this world of corruption, scandal, and crime. The ensemble cast consists of Ellen Burstyn (in her third film of the festival this year), Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, Mark Wahlberg, James Caan, Faye Dunaway, and Steve Lawrence (the singer, and very believable actor.) It's easy to see why this film and "Nurse Betty" were selected as America's entries in the Cannes Film Festival in May. Go see it and judge for yourself. It's not easy going, but it's ultimately very rewarding.

5 Stars

NJB