King of New York (1990)

User Review

• 

  BarneyNuttall

  8 / 10

  Moving away from his video nasty traditions, Abel Ferrara creates a gritty, brutal crime thriller with an intriguing anti-hero. With an old school hip-hop soundtrack and unique performances, Ferrara delivers a satisfyingly thrilling criminal drama set in a dingy New York.
  
  Some have accused the plot of being fragmentary. Critic Mark Caro gave the film only half a star. I have to disagree. While the plot isn't a groundbreaker, it follows all the usual beats of a good gangster film while adapting the head honcho role into a Robin Hood figure. In a way, Walken's anti-hero role reminded me of Robert Pattinson in Good Time; sympathetic but, ultimately, deeply flawed.
  
  The film also boasts a healthy platter of brilliant supporting roles, namely Laurence Fishburne (or, as written in the credits, Larry) who pops and elasticates himself in a performance which is both tense and comedic.

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