Broken City (2013)

Plot Summary

In Broken City, Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) is a former NYPD detective forced to resign after a controversial shooting. Years later, he works as a private investigator when he's hired by powerful New York Mayor Nicholas Hostetler (Russell Crowe) to spy on his wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones), whom he suspects of having an affair.

But what begins as a routine surveillance job turns into a deeper political conspiracy involving real estate fraud, manipulation, and corruption at the highest levels of city government. As Taggart digs deeper, he realizes he's being used—and he must fight to uncover the truth before becoming another pawn in the mayor’s ruthless game.

Production Info

• Genre: Crime, Political Thriller, Neo-Noir

• Runtime: 108 minutes

• Release Date: January 18, 2013 (USA)

• Budget: Estimated $35–57 million

• Box Office: Approx. $34.7 million worldwide

Cast Highlights

• Mark Wahlberg as Billy Taggart – A disgraced cop searching for redemption.

• Russell Crowe as Mayor Hostetler – Charming on the outside, but morally corrupt.

• Catherine Zeta-Jones as Cathleen Hostetler – The mayor’s enigmatic wife hiding her own secrets.

• Jeffrey Wright as Carl Fairbanks – A political operator pulling strings behind closed doors.

Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: 26%

• Metacritic: 49/100

• Critics praised the performances—especially from Crowe and Zeta-Jones—but criticized the film for its formulaic plot and missed potential.

• Though stylish and atmospheric, the film didn’t fully deliver on its political-thriller promise.

Worth Watching?

If you enjoy gritty thrillers about political deception, corruption, and flawed heroes, Broken City offers an engaging—if imperfect—ride through the dark side of power.