King of New York's storyline is pretty one-note, but there's an energy and aura of fear lingering in every gritty composition.
King of New York (1990)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:17
Fresh:13
Rotten:4
Average Rating:6.1/10
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Christopher Walken stars as Frank White, an ultracool crime boss, in this moody gem from director Abel Ferrara. Released from a long stint in jail, White rejoins his devoted gang, which includes... Christopher Walken stars as Frank White, an ultracool crime boss, in this moody gem from director Abel Ferrara. Released from a long stint in jail, White rejoins his devoted gang, which includes the trigger-happy Jimmy Jump (Laurence Fishburne), Test Tube (Steve Buscemi), and his attractive attorney girlfriend, Jennifer (Janet Julian). Setting up headquarters in Trump Plaza, they start wiping out members of rival mobs in a bid to take back the streets and indulge in lots of cocaine and sex, but ultimately White has more noble ambitions, such as giving a fortune in drug money to charity. David Caruso, Victor Argo, and Wesley Snipes costar as a group of bitter cops who don't buy Frank's change of heart and decide to go outside the law to take him down. Poetic, sexy, funny, somber, and very violent, this critical hit cemented the rep of Ferrara and has earned a strong cult following. Bozan Bajelli serves as director of the arresting cinematography, which is full of rich shadows and gold, blue, and red hues. For fans of films such as THE GODFATHER and SCARFACE, this is essential viewing. [More]
Starring: Christopher Walken, David Caruso, Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes
Starring: Christopher Walken, David Caruso, Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito, Victor Argo, Paul Calderon, Janet Julian, Joey Chin
Director: Abel Ferrara
Director: Abel Ferrara
Composer: Joe Delia
Screenwriter: Nicholas St. John
Producer: Mary Kane
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Reviews for King of New York
Review by Mike Martin - It looks fantastic, and there is an air of real menace to proceedings, but seems to belong to another age somehow.
Ferrara began to be taken more seriously by critics with this operatic crime film, which was shown at the NY Film Festival, where it elicited walkouts (including the helmer's wife) along with praise.
Containing performances and and an attitude that is gleefully over-the-top, it's a bit of good fun.
Latest News for King of New York
October 03, 2008:
Further Reading: Marion Cotillard and Forest Whittaker in Abel Ferrara's Mary
As the NFT in London prepares a Juliette Binoche season, Kim looks at Abel Ferrara's Mary which also stars Marion Cotillard and Forest Whittaker. More...
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