2023 production asphalt city Proved to me once and for all that I will never be a Sean Penn fan. As a friend of mine always says, “I wouldn’t lie about it.” When he got me hooked Fast-paced times at Ridgemont High Schoolthe flowers bloom quickly and rise quickly.
However.
Payne tells the stories of first responders in an exaggerated and dramatic way. In this case, his scarred face worked to his advantage. It also helps because he is no hero.
story
Ollie Cross is the new kid on the block. His foray into the world of paramedics was fraught with uncertainty. Cross didn’t know who to trust and he clashed with his first partner; La Fontaine. He is then paired with a burnt-out Root (Gene Rutkowsky), who is shown going over the ropes.
The streets of New York City (aka Asphalt City) have never looked so grim.
main cast
Tye Sheridan plays Olly Cross. Rookie will become a doctor in the future.
Michael Pitt plays LaFontaine. Easily the worst shift partner you could find.
Sean Penn is Root. A grizzled veteran who experienced the trauma of 9/11.
Actor Honorable Mention
Mike Tyson is Chief Burroughs. He expresses himself well here. He has a few more lines than in The Hangover and he delivers them well.
Gbenga Akinnagbe is Wildes. He has more to do here than Tyson.
Kali Reis plays Nia Brown, the mother of the baby in Root’s care.
Katherine Waterston plays Nancy, Root’s last ex-wife.
Raquel Nave is Clara. She was Cross’s refuge, sexual partner and possible girlfriend.
question
There is too much sex and nudity with no clear context. Clara and Ollie do this numerous times, with no emotion other than the camera leering at the two. This is skin-to-skin sex without any intimacy. In my humble opinion, this is not necessary.
*It could be seen as a setup for later scenes in the film, but it could have been better. The director, Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire, is French, which explains a lot. French films are very strong in their depiction of sex. This seems to be some kind of prerequisite.
Larter’s breakdown is evident almost from the moment we meet him.
asphalt city
The city is full of unpleasant characters. This may well be writer Shannon Burke’s experience. He wrote this book. *title: black fly;This story is the result of his shocking entry into the world of first responders.
Burke did this job for five years. There is no doubt that he meets the fair demands of Ruts and LaFontaine. It must have been exciting that his experiences were the basis for this film.
I was ready to dislike this movie. It has an obnoxiously religious posturing: Olly Cross? Our “cross to bear?” The lad’s close relationship with St. Michael and the film’s reliance on Ori to provide the story’s soul are all vexing.
but.
I can’t stop watching. Anyone who has ever cleaned up blood after a fight or suicide attempt will find the whole thing compelling. In a way, it may rely on metaphor, but it works.
behind the scenes
The lighting was dim and harsh. Even the daytime scenes are full of grit. The flickering strobe lights at night and the dark edges of every scene give the film its edge. Payne brings a lot to the role he plays in caregiver burnout. He’s impressive, but like I said at the beginning: I will never be a fan of his.
Judgment
asphalt city It is a solid 3.5 drama. It’s streaming on Hulu. Check it out and see what you think.
trailer
Relevant
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