2002, 1 hr 45 min., Rated R for language, drug use and some violence.�Dir: Michael Caton-Jones. Cast: Robert De Niro (Detective Vincent La Marca), James Franco (Joey Nova), Frances McDormand (Michelle), Patti LuPone (Maggie), Eliza Dushku (Gina), William Forsythe (Spyder), George Dzundza (Detective Reg Duffy).

Not a bad yarn. It's acting-driven, since I can't really classify the film as a mystery, thriller, suspense, definitely not comedy or romance, but I suppose just a drama with criminal-suspense elements. Robert De Niro's problematic family is an exaggeration from a realistic story, but it serves a purpose, even if it's to show that nothing is ever too bad to be resolved with those you love. And there aren't any filmmatic delusions as to how conflicts can be resolved, as there are real punishments for those who mislead or commit crimes.

It doesn't take much brainpower (thankfully; I've got to save it up) to see that the city, Long Beach, NY (which should probably sue the filmmakers) is a metaphor for the really dysfunctional family of De Niro, with his father and son being wastes in the eyes of society. They really should raze the entire section of town. What a horrible eyesore. The family, though, is salvable with some major urban planning to be done.

One of the main things going for City by the Sea are the strong performances. It employs several top-notch performers, with De Niro the frontrunner. Back to his strong suit, after a few diversions to comedy, De Niro's an actor where no matter what he's doing you can see the wheels turning between his ears. You now something's going on in there, and he doesn't hide his thoughts well nor does he try. De Niro's tormented detective character walks away from everything stressful under the guise of protecting those he loves, when he's really just protecting himself from facing the situation. Nothing new there in Hollywood, so everything is telegraphed in the film, but he manages to play it fresh.

It's really no wonder I thought James Franco (Harry Osborn in Spider-Man) wants to be James Dean, he actually portrayed him in a TV movie on the legend's life. And apparently critically acclaimed. Playing estranged son, Joey, Franco lays it on thick as the junkie loser criminal. One problem: Don't tell me he's a "good kid." He's not. He's a punk. Franco could fit right in on any angst-driven WB show, and he seems to love the melodrama. Still, I can't help but think that Franco should've been Anakin Skywalker in the last two prequels of Star Wars, because he pulls off similar whining as Hayden Christensen, but with some believability and chutzpah.

Elsewhere in support, Frances McDormand is a gem, and does great with what little she's given. Eliza Dushku (slayer Faith in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") pours it on as Joey' girlfriend Gina, another junkie and abandoning-mother loser. I've never been as big an admirer of hers on "Buffy" as other fans, but she's effectual here. De Niro's partner, George Dzundza, is always a solid choice as a cop, since his days on "Law & Order" were some of the best of the show's long run, and he clearly wasn't fit to be a bartender as Christina Applegate's dad on "Jesse."

Some say the dialogue is weak, but I didn't notice anything that took me out of the picture. The only thing I did mind was one bit of the climax that seemed improbable, but I can't tell ya until you see it! There's a bit much emoting, but City by the Sea plays it straight, and is an intelligent movie worthy of a look.