The Yards
by James Gray
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Charlize Theron, Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, Joaquin Phoenix, Mark WahlbergDirector: James Gray
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Anamorphic, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 115 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-04-17
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Miramax
Movie Reviews of The Yards
Movie Review: A burning hot flame potentially turns into bitter cold ice
Summary: 3 Stars
THE YARDS (2000) will interest fans of Joaquin Phoenix and Charlize
Theron's physical charisma, as to James Caan's world class acting and
credibility in bringing to life a theme that is rarely touched upon
in the theaters. On the other hand, for some, Walhberg's acting is
perhaps an acquired taste, much like watching paint dry.
One strength is the lesson it tells, of the consequences of one's
actions, or that of a small group of people holding key positions, on
everyone in society, their family, friends close and distant, when
there is misbehavior.
According to this movie, there are cases when big-ticket sales
players (not just small time salesmen) get an edge, through unethical
means, through payoffs, not so legal actions, and human coercion
against competitors in bidding for contracts in the tens of USD
millions.
It realistically tells of methods that are perfectly legitimate in
gaining the favor, influence and friendship of people by knowing what
their soft spots are, and indulging those through gifts. The trick,
of course, is to know when a gift stops being one, and turns into a
payoff.
This DVD will also appeal to those enjoying a wide-screen release,
with a very high quality cinematography, sharp images, and
irreproachable technique. The soundtrack is made up of tastefully
selected numbers, that don't distract from the story.
What will stick with the public, are the highs and lows, that the
protagonists in this picture go through.
The less credible part, is the suggestion that the character played
by Walhberg, presented as somewhat of a broken down engine of sorts
in society, becomes holier than the Pope after 90 mins, turning
against everyone whom he knew and trusted, merely from the latter's
decision to cut their losses from the repeated, ever more serious
comedy of errors made by Walhberg's character.
The strong point of this movie, is its tragic aspects, and by not
having a predictable ending, incorporating many realistic elements,
such as sickness, health, death, fear, greed, broken relationships,
loathing, solidarity, coercion, hate, love, confusion, joy. Most will
identify how some people are able to control their destinies to a
lesser or stronger degree, depending on their skill and experience,
and luck.
A lasting demonstration, is how quickly a burning hot flame,
potentially turns into bitter cold ice, in terms of one's humanity,
personal relationships, one's professional outlook, and how everyone
in society is dependent and influenced by other people comprising it.
THE YARDS also underlines how one tragedy is always accompanied by
another.
Some viewers may have preferred a less abrupt ending, which almost is
presented as an afterthought, after the story had built to a climax.
Summary of The Yards
Fulfilling the promise of his debut film, Little Odessa, 31-year-old writer-director James Gray proves himself a mature storyteller who attracts good actors and elicits their best work. Inspired by the experiences of his own father, Gray sets The Yards inside the corrupt workings of the New York City railway system, in which men such as Frank Olchin (James Caan) maintain their dominance by sabotaging the work of their competitors. Mark Wahlberg is well cast as Leo Handler, who serves jail time for a crime he didn't commit and returns home to a warm welcome from his ailing mother (Ellen Burstyn), his aunt Kitty (and Frank's wife, played by Faye Dunaway), and cousin Erica (Charlize Theron).He's also welcomed by his friend Willie (Joaquin Phoenix), who does most of Uncle Frank's dirty work and brings the needy Leo into his lucrative fold. Things go from bad to worse, and Leo's suspected in the killing of a railway official and the beating of a city patrolman. On the run, he uncovers the political machinations that keep Uncle Frank in power, and The Yards unfolds as a compelling tale of family, twisted loyalties, and the quest for truth. There's stellar work from everyone involved, but if The Yards has one major flaw, it's that Gray directs with a solemnity that's almost off-putting, as if a moment of levity would violate his story's integrity. Visually The Yards invites comparison to The Godfather, and it boasts much of that film's moral complexity and depth of character, but it's too self-consciously heavy, and that compromises its overall impact. Still, this is good work from a talented director whose future films will be watched with interest. --Jeff Shannon
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