Ciudad de mentiras

Watching this movie, you can't help but wonder how far from the truth the events you're watch really are..? After watching it, I undertook some google couch investigation into some of the names and events. Having been in my late teens during the Tupac/Biggy shootings I was pretty familiar with the happenings and headlines at the time and this movie is pretty much true to form in timeline, events, and players. It is a shame that it was shelved. Deserves better...

I wasn't expecting much going in. Both Leads are on the downward arc of their careers and both have made some turkeys in their days. Not the case in this movie, Johnny Depp is very good as a retired detective who has all the answers but no ability to get things done and Forest Whitaker as the reporter whose star has faded. The two leads play off each other very well and Whitaker complements Depp whose character just might be unstable. Depp is the lead character and Whitaker is definitely the consummate supporting actor. This is a murder mystery with intrigue about the Biggie Smalls murder. I know very little about rap and was engrossed with story of corruption and the toll that the search for the truth has exacted on the two male leads. A entertaining film with a above average performance from Depp.

I won´t go into details of the plot, since it can be found in the description of the movie. Whitaker is outstanding in this movie imo. His natural performance and presence gives life and authenticity to the character of journalist Jack Jackson. Johnny Depp is a surprise. Playing the aging retired police officer Russell Poole, his performance is well balanced, reduced and dedicated to capture the truth of Poole´s ambition and motivation. Whitaker and Depp harmonize, and it shows in the dialogues between Jackson and Poole. Two outstanding actors in an ambitioned movie about a timeless subject: finding truth in a swamp of lies.

I came across this movie by chance while searching for something to watch. I wasn't expecting much, given the rating, but I got pleasantly surprised.

This is a solid movie, with great acting and an interesting and engaging story. I'm not from the US and I'm not really into rap, so I can't speak for the accuracy from a historical standpoint. But it was very entertaining. More like a 7.5 in my opinion. So if you had any doubts, watch it, you won't regret it.

Really good film showing the real life of what really went on beneath the surface of the hip hop industry a must see film Depp and Whitaker pulled it off as usual.