City of Industry

Plot synopsis:
Retired thief, Roy Egan (Harvey Keitel), comes out of retirement to help his youngest brother, Lee (Timothy Hutton), with a jewelry heist in Palm Springs. Along for the job are hired muscle, Jorge Montana (Wade Dominguez), and wheelman, Skip Kovich (Stephen Dorff), who is running late. While they wait for Skip, the three men prepare for the heist by surveying the jewelry store they're planning to rob. Elsewhere, Skip is doing business with gunrunner, Odell Williams (Michael Jai White), who offers Skip his services in case he needs anything. Once Skip finally arrives to the rendezvous spot, a trailer park, he joins the crew and the heist goes down, the next day. Thanks to Jorge's scrambling of the police monitors and traffic signals, their getaway is successful.
At Skip's motel room, his bimbo girlfriend, Gena (Dana Barron), sparks a notion in his head about how much money he would be receiving from the heist—which doesn't look appealing. At the trailer park, as Lee and Jorge are having some beers and expressing satisfaction with how the heist went down, Skip guns both of them down. Roy, who was in the bathroom, smacks the door on Skip, sees the dead bodies, and makes a run for it. Skip blasts his way out of the trailer, but loses Roy. Roy hides inside a drainage pipe and Skip takes off with the money. When the coast is clear, Roy steals a car and heads to Los Angeles, where he rents a room and tries to gather himself together. The next day, Roy attempts to find Skip, hurting a few people along the way, but coming empty-handed. Roy stops at Jorge's house to inform his wife, Rachel (Famke Janssen), about her husband's death and if she knows Skip's whereabouts, but she angrily she kicks him out. Skip soon gets word that Roy is after him, so he makes a call to Odell and employs him and his crew to protect him, as he attempts to deal with a loan shark, Harvey (Elliott Gould), to whom he is already deep in debt. Harvey is also connected with the Chinese mob, and has eyes and ears all around town. Skip convinces Harvey to use his connections to track down Roy, in exchange for more money on top of what he already owes him. Roy is found by the mob, beaten, tied, and thrown in the back seat of a car. As the kidnappers drive, Roy frees himself and kills his captors, causing the car to flip over.
Rachel finds a bruised and bloody Roy lying on her yard. She cleans him up and attempts to take him to a hospital, but Roy refuses and offers her $5,000 to take care of him. Once Roy recovers, Rachel refuses the money he offered her, wanting $100,000 instead. Roy refuses at first, but when she gives him Jorge's address book full of contacts – including Skip – he accepts. Rachel takes Roy to a laundering setup belonging to the mob, which is holding Skip's money. Roy attacks the operator in charge, Uncle Luke (François Chau), and takes Skip's money, but unknowingly loses his motel key. Uncle Luke informs Skip that Roy took his money and that he's on his own to get it back, but also tells him of the key Roy left behind. Roy prepares for his confrontation with Skip and tells Rachel to pack her belongings. As he leaves, Rachel gives him a rosary for protection. Mobsters attempt to kill Roy in his motel cabin, but Roy takes them out by exploding a gas tank located outside the cabin.
Skip kidnaps Rachel and calls Roy, demanding the money from the heist back. He gives Roy a time and place to meet, a construction site. At the site, Skip finds that Odell had sent two of his guys after him for the money he owes them; they've also taken Gena hostage. Skip kills them both, as well as Gena. When Roy arrives, he gets into a gun battle with the mob, who are also after Skip. Roy takes them out, but is severely wounded. Skip tries to make off with the money, but Roy trips him, beats him to death with his bare hands, and rescues Rachel. Rachel speeds Roy to a hospital and rushes to find help. When she returns, both Roy and the car are gone, but he leaves her money in a duffel bag by the bushes. Rachel and her children bury Jorge and relocate to Port Arthur, Texas. One day, the postman delivers her a small package. She opens it and finds the rosary she gave Roy, assuring her that he's alive.

Tags: revenge, neo noir, murder, violence

Review:
In this contemporary film noir, two brothers with the same alma mater-- Folsom Prison-- discover something about loyalty and what `honor among thieves' really means, in `City of Industry,' directed by John Irvin.
Lee Egan (Timothy Hutton) puts together a crew of four men, including his brother, Roy (Harvey Keitel), to take down a jewelry store in Palm Springs, California.
As is befitting the subject matter, the film is dark-- much of it takes place at night, or in rather seedy, industrial locales-- with a touch of artistic cinematography that gives a sense of urgency to the story.
As Rachel says to Roy at one point, `You guys are all alike--'	As Roy, Keitel carries the film with the kind of credible performance we've come to expect from him.
A violent and stylish examination of the criminal element in our midst, `City of Industry' is a hard-edged film that presents the matter-of-fact way in which those who subscribe to a life of crime seemingly function within their own sect of society.
With solid production values and a top notch cast, and set against a sunny and seedy Los Angeles backdrop, this fast-paced story of desperate criminals driven by greed and revenge is the perfect vehicle for "Guy's Movie Night."
Harvey Keitel is at his best as Roy Egan, the hardened career criminal bent on avenging a double-cross by former partner-in-crime, Skip Kovich (played by Stephen Dorff, in his best performance ever).
As if this weren't enough, this movie is notable for providing the only film nude scenes of Lucy Liu (a brief role as Dorff's stripper ex-girlfriend), and Dana Barron (Audry Griswold in the original "Vacation").Despite its occasional plot holes, this film gets better with repeated viewings.
And for fans of what my Manly Man Movie Night associates have deemed "Keiteling" (the mandatory Harvey Keitel emotional and physical meltdown, e.g. the church scene in "Bad Lieutenant") it doesn't get any better than this.
Keitel runs, walks, staggers, stumbles, and crawls through "City of Industry" to settle a score with fellow thief Dorff in this surprisingly entertaining but gritty and violent action/drama from the same mold as "Reservoir Dogs".
He plays Roy Egan, a veteran con helping his kid brother, Lee (Timothy Hutton), and two other desperados, pull a big jewel job in Palm Springs.
The job goes well, but then one of the gang gets murderously greedy, and Roy goes into LA, after him and the loot.The other element which lifts the movie from competent to first rate are the downtown and industrial locations.
At the same time, writer Ken Solarz and director John Irvin make good use of LA's ethnic mix, with both Chinese and Black gangs playing a part as Roy hunts his man.
Hutton, Stephen Dorff, Wade Dominguez and Famke Janssen contribute solid performances, and Lucy Liu is also to be seen.
Sure, you can find some plots holes in this film big enough to drive a semi through, but that just keeps it from gathering awards, not from being worth a view.If you like revenge flicks, and noir, and lots of action, as well as a look at Lucy's Little Lius as she does a pole dance, then you might find this film interesting.What makes it most interesting, however, is the presence of Harvey Keitel.
harvey keitel first off - then i found a new femme fatale in famke janssen - then an incredible new villain in stephen dorff - and the list goes on, with an incredible film score and blend of unique artists, no superstars but viable musicians that make you want to hear more.
It has a perfect set-up for character establishment followed by a few surprises and then the chase is on between the young arrogant Skip,(Dorff), and the old but wiser Roy, (Keitel).
I think it's safe to say that this can best be described as a " standard urban revenge thriller It plays out very much like a heist movie where some naughty men carry out a robbery and then the naughtiest man in the pack decides he's going to keep the money for himself at the expense of his colleagues .
This alone makes the movie recommended Another recommendation is the performance by Harvey Keitel who is incapable of ever giving a bad performance and in this type of role as a mean bad mother who is out for revenge he's certainly in his element .
Director John Irvin gets the best out of Keitel and you really believe this guy is a killer , not something you can say about one of Kietel's peers in later films - Yes Mr DeNiro I mean you Despite a heart stopping sequence when it looks like the heist merchants are going to be caught when dozens of cop cars surround them there's one or two sequences by Irvin that don't really make sense .
Things like this and Elliot Gould's pointless cameo stop the movie being anything more than standard but if passes the time if you enjoy crime thrillers.
All the acting in this movie is great - the four male leads are well- cast and work well together, and Jorge's wife Rachel is sympathetic as a young mother who wants to do what's best for her kids.
An old thief named Roy Egan (Harvey Keitel) , is drawn into the final jewel heist to Russian Mafia when his youngest brother named Lee (Timothy Hutton) asks him for a last score before they get out of the game .
One of them decides he doesn't want to share the goods and betrays the group and happens murders and wreak havoc .The retired thief swears revenge on the lunatic who murdered his partners, while going on the run with the loot they stole.This modern adaptation of noir cinema contains thrills , intrigue, explosive scenes of action and over-riding feeling of heat .
Good performances from all-star cast as Harvey Keitel as an old pro robber who has vowed to avenge his brother , Stephen Dorff as a volatile , violent wheelman and Famke Janssen as a suffering wife .
'City of Industry' has a nice first half hour and a fine Harvey Keitel to keep the other minutes entertaining.
After a score he is betrayed by Skip (Stephen Dorff), who killed Roy's brother Lee (Timothy Hutton) and a fourth person who helped with the score named Jorge (Wade Dmoniguez).The first half hour I was talking about shows us some preparations for the score, the score itself and the betrayal.
I watched this film mainly to see Harvey Keitel's work: I was wholly unprepared for the slam-bang surprise after the heist.
City Of Industry is the bleak and noirish tale of a group of jewel thieves, who after pulling off a heist is betrayed and killed by the driver Skip(Dorff).
Harvey Keitel shines as Roy Egan, he's at his badass best here people and Stephen Dorff does fine as Skip.
This is pretty much a noir revenge story, with stone loner Roy Egan(the great Harvey Keitel) navigating the high and low of seedy LA, wending his way through dive bars, upscale LA law firms, and enduring beat downs from Asian and black gangs while pursuing THE BIG PAYBACK, son.
As JB, the godfather of soul might say, "His patience thin, he want revenge." Harvey reluctantly joins a heist crew led by little brother Hutton that will knock off high-end jewelry store connected to the Russian mob.
this was a fairly entertaining crime drama.it moved at a quick pace and it wasn't boring.i liked the fact that it didn't feel as depressing as many movies of the genre.it's still dark and gritty,just not oppressive.it pretty much follows the standard formula.betrayal,leading to revenge ending in bloodshed,usually death.it's all pretty predictable,and there a few illogical moments.still,it is entertaining for what it is.what elevates this material though, is Harvey Keitel,who makes just about any film he's in better than it otherwise might have been.Stephen Dorff,Timothy Hutton,Famke Janssen,Michael Jai White,and Wade Dominguez co star.and Lucy Liu also has a small role.recommended as long as you know what you're in for.it doesn't break any new ground,but it doesn't completely butcher the genre either.for me,City of Industry is a 6.5/10.
Oh good another heist gone wrong movie - and it stars Harvey Keitel!
A good crime tale, with superb acting from Janssen, Keitel, and Dorff.
Overall, the movie has a excellent story combined with the acting from Janssen, Keitel, and Dorff.
This movie was written for Harvey Keitel, it fits him like a glove; and Stephen Dorff playing the antagonist, it is a perfect fit as well!!!!
This film had a lot going for it - Timothy Hutton, Harvey Keitel and Stephen Dorff all did admirable jobs with what they were given.
Demented).But what this story loses with Dorf's unnecessary hamminess, it picks up in Harvey Keitel's exquisite performance as a professional jewel thief on his last job, who suddenly finds everything shot to hell due to the greedy Dorf character - including his brother.There are indeed problems with this movie, but the essential grittiness the script calls for remains, which thus leaves Keitel in his element, and he does fine .Oh, the film also has a naked Lucy Liu before she became famous, and besides being very hot, she does a fine job in a bit part as an abused former mistress of the Dorf-guy.
If I was you I would see the two of them because they are two good movies and will keep you happy to the end Harvey Keitel is a very good actor and he does not disappoint you in this movie ever.Stephen Dorfe plays a very good bad guy and Timothy Hutton is not bad either it is a good revenge movie and not a bad heist movie either, don't get it mixed up with Reservoir Dogs because it is a different type of movie all together except from there being a heist in it but it is more of a revenge movie..
In "City of Industry" everyone is trying so hard to look cool but it is not very believable at times.All in all this is still a reasonably good heist movie with lots of killings and revenge.
By the time I watched it, I think I knew it wasn't the most popular crime thriller ever made, and like probably many other viewers, I was disappointed, finding it to be a rather weak film of its genre.
His widow, Rachel, is eventually involved in Roy's mission after she learns what has happened to her husband.Harvey Keitel plays the starring role of Roy Egan, and does a decent job, but this may not be the case with the entire cast.
Despite these flaws, there's still at least some suspense, as well as poignant moments, and enough to keep me interested until the end, during my second viewing, that is.Now that I've seen "City of Industry" twice, I don't exactly think it's bad, as I definitely found more redeeming qualities the second time than I did the first (I'm not sure if I really found any the first time), and a major reason for this is that it just MIGHT be a better film to watch alone.
And, even when playing a bad guy, he always manages to show the human side of even the worst of types...Because, make no mistake, in this story he's a tough minded, no-nonsense killer, Roy Egan, out to settle a score  the psychopathic wheel-man, after the diamond heist just completed, has killed Egan's brother, Lee (Timothy Hutton) and a buddy, Jorge (Wade Dominquez) and run off with the loot.
Hence, Roy sets out to find the wheel-man Skip (Stephen Dorff), kill him and recover that loot  now converted to cash.Yes, this type of story has been done many times: Point Blank (1967), its remake Payback (1999) and many other similar films.
The real treat is the nude scene by Lucy Liu...Keitel plays the part of the wronged brother well enough, but the audience is expected to believe quite a bit of material that is tough to swallow..
I loved this movie i caught it on TV and wasn't expecting much it surprised me the twist at the beginning of the movie is very unexpected and shocking Keitel is good as the guy hungry for revenge but he's not the kind of actor who makes you feel sorry for me Famke Janssen compensated that by an amazing dramatic role too bad she had little to do in the first half of the movie but once the movie starts to focus on her it gets better and better!
Doroff is great as the villain , Lucy Liu is also in this in a very small but nude role!i look forward to seeing him in other films overall great movie a must see for all Famke Janssen fans!.
Making the dreaded mistake of taking out 2 of his fellow crew members, instead of 3, that being Keitel (the bashing job he does on Dorff, a bloody howl with cheer masterpiece) the rest of the film is a death dodging revenge tale, where this one kind of rises surprisingly above many others, I guess in the way it engages the viewer, as we wait for Harvey to get his guy.
I really liked the first thirty minutes of the film, where after, I was kind of thinking, or felt it was gonna lack, where as a viewer, I've seen a lot of these revenge pieces, where some moments can become long bores.
The movie has a cloudy and unsatisfying, ending, but what makes the film work are the five main players, where most of the film is left to Keitel to carry, as this great actor, does none other a fine job, carrying a lot of weight and fists of death.
Dorff, we do, and Keitel show us the best way, amongst some other blood spilled moments in the film.
Harvey Keitel comes to play, delivering a fully-formed and convincing portrait of a professional criminal who wants revenge--and the loot that's been stolen from him.Violent and cynical, City of Industry is everything a crime film should be: gut wrenching, powerful and intensely gripping.solid performances in Backbeat and Blood and Wine behind him, Dorff expands his range with a convincing portrayal of youthful amorality.
City of Industry is, of course dominated by Keitel, the god head of indie crime films.
Stephen Dorff is outstanding as Skip, charming yet ready to blow at any time, while Timothy Hutton is gripping as Lee. These characters drive this thriller, set in a gritty, ruthless Los Angeles.
I love the genre of noir, pulpy crime and a couple of heist films but City of Industry is just a bank job too far; a wise talking gangster too far and a story of pulp fiction too far.
Throw in some badly done gunfights and a weak romance sub-plot and you have a sort of fun at times gritty crime film but something forgettable in the long run.The biggest problem I had with City of Industry is its point of view approach.
The scene that suggests this is when he's standing at the trailer door when Skip (well played by Stephen Dorff) arrives because the camera cuts to his point of view; the point of view angle is very important as it puts the audience in the character's head, so the film has changed its mind again.
Egan floors a jerk of a bartender, he spends some time with the widow that is Rachel and he gets around stealing cars and interrogating people  good fun, you think.But then the film steers itself off the thin track it was already on.
City of Industry is a decent effort at a crime movie, and perhaps one the better of a bad bunch of these types of films that seemed to be on a production line since Pulp Fiction came out.
They get Harvey Keitel's character, Roy Egan who is the brother of one of the two, and the "wildcard" character, Skip.
Thief Harvey Keitel comes to Southern California to join his younger brother, Timothy Hutton, and a nice Latino (Wade Dominguez) and a driver (Stephen Dorff), to pull off a diamond heist at one of those high-end stores that line the main drag in Palm Springs.
At the end, having dispatched Dorff, the wounded and bleeding Keitel sees to it that Dominguez' widow (Famke Janssen) gets most of the money from the job.
(Famke Janssen)'s performance and beauty (her hair was exceptional !), (Harvey Keitel)'s silent mountainous anger, and (Stephen Dorff)'s attitude; they did the job finely.
Like "52...", there are several splendid performances, not the least being that of Harvey Keitel, a vengeance-seeking career crim, and Stephen Dorff, an incredibly savage villain.
None of the main characters are actually good people and so the audience find themselves taking sides with an anti-hero who, as well as being a brutal thug and killer, does at least have some sort of code by which he operates.Retired thief Roy Egan (Harvey Keitel) is persuaded by his younger brother Lee (Timothy Hutton) to join him for one last job which should pay off handsomely for both of them.
Directed with a lot of finesse by John Irvin and starring Harvey Keitel, CITY OF INDUSTRY is a fine crime thriller.
Keitel, who could easily sleepwalk through this type of film, gives a very good performance (he takes a real beating...several times) and has a lot of chemistry with Famke Janssen (as the widow of one of his cronies).
The night photography is at times too dark, there is surely one too many name-less characters chasing Keitel, and Dorff is not really threatening enough to be convincing.
The second that happened, I pretty much checked out, and just waited the rest of the movie out.And, of course, it's a "final heist" for Keitel's character.
So, that naturally means that everything's going to go wrong, guaranteed!The film is entirely on the shoulders of Harvey Keitel's performance.