City of Hope

Cast

John Sayles
as Carl

Vincent Spano
as Nick

Tony Lo Bianco
as Joe

Joe Morton
as Wynn

Angela Bassett
as Reesha

Anthony Dennison Masters

Barbara Williams
as Angela

Gloria Foster
as Jeanette

Kevin Tighe
as O'Brien

Anthony John Denison
as Rizzo

William Raymond
as Les

Chris Cooper
as Riggs

Josh Mostel
as Mad Anthony

Jojo Smollett
as Desmond

Stephen Mendillo
as Yoyo

Barbara Hewson Shapiro

Edward Jay Townsend Jr.
as Tito

Charlie Yanko
as Stavros

Jace Alexander
as Bobby

Todd Graff
as Zip

Scott Tiler
as Vinnie

Frankie Faison
as Levonne

Tom Wright
as Malik

David Strathairn
as Asteroid

Maggie Renzi
as Connie

Marianne Leone
as Joann

S.J. Lang
as Bauer

Eileen Lynch
as Dawn

Bob North
as District Attorney

Michael Mantell
as Zimmer

Randle Mell
as Simms

Joe Grifasi
as Pauly

Louis Zorich
as Mayor Baci

Steven Randazzo
as Gus

Gina Gershon
as Laurie

Miriam Colon
as Mrs. Ramirez

Rose Gregorio
as Pina

Daryl Edwards
as Franklin

Jude Ciccolella
as Paddy

Jaime Tirelli
as Fuentes

Serafin Jovet
as Ramirez

Mason K. Daring
as Peter

Olga Merediz
as Nidia

John Griesemer
as Thomas

Bernard Canepari
as Stroczyk

Blair Shannon
as Security Guard

Tony Davis
as Kyle

Jon De Vries
as Dean Milford

Ginny Yang
as Suzanne

Lawrence Tierney
as Kerrigan

Maeve Kinkead
as Christine

Dale Carman
as Roger

Ray Aranha
as Errol

Jon Farris
as Kevin

John Farris
as Kevin

Darryl Edwards
as Franklin

View All

Critic Reviews for City of Hope

Audience Reviews for City of Hope

• Jun 14, 2020

  John Sayles has created one of the most underrated films with City of Hope. I had never heard of this film and had been hunting Sunshine State on Blu-ray over the weekend. City of Hope ended up in my view due to the strength of the cast and the reviews were already positive so I thought it was worth the investment. I'm amazed that this film has gone so unrewarded as this is a strong indie film and the way it is structured is amazing. The lack of a larger budget doesn't distract and you would be amazed at the overall budget for this film. John Sayles is a name I didn't recognise but I've seen Limbo and Sunshine State many years ago. The biggest issue I find with these older films is the lack of availability and this makes viewing them very hard. City of Hope escaped the hype train but this is a must-see film. Strong character and an amazing filmmaking style that only serves the performances. 14/06/2020
  Brendan O Super Reviewer
• Feb 18, 2012

  This is a good movie. A film that tackles racial problems, politics, corruption, protests, and urban life. "City Of Hope" is the American microcosm where all these diffrent stories and where most of the characters bump into one another. Sort of like taking all these ingridents and adding it into the stirring pot. Filmmaker John Sayles has taken this interconnected story that would remind one of the works of Robert Altman, Paul Thomas Anderson or Paul Haggis. Cinematographer Robert Richardson photographs with his trademark of using a bright key light shinning vividly on the cast and uses reds, yellows and other sources of lights to enhance the story. It's funny to also see Richardson in a small cameo scene as one of the convicts sitting silently at a police precinct. John Sayles also plays a part in the picture as Carl. A corrupted mechanic who wants piece of the action. Sayles's performace is chillingly frieghtning and brilliant adding another layer in the city of hope. A city pulses with racial problems, political corruption, and small-time crime in this ambitious microcosm of urban life, written and directed by John Sayles. Nick Rinaldi (Vincent Spano), a lost soul usually high on drink and drugs, has spent his life in one New Jersey city, getting free rides from his connected father (Tony LoBianco) and hearing the locals talk of his brother's death in Vietnam. Searching for more control, Nick quits the cushy contractor's job provided by his Dad, feeling that major events are about to happen to him. That feeling proves accurate -- by film's end his life will change, as will the lives of many others. Nick is only the center of the movie's sprawling collection of people and plotlines; Sayles takes full advantage of this expansive landscape, as he often begins shooting one conversation, only to pull back and eavesdrop on another, in one smooth, intriguing shot. By listening in, we slowly learn about the citizens and their dilemmas, as the city's woes bubble to a narrative climax. Many of Sayles' regular players are on-screen (the movie features 52 roles), including Joe Morton as a frustrated councilman and David Strathairn as a disturbed street person.
  Brian R Super Reviewer
• Jun 17, 2008

  Another great Sayles ensemble cast piece.
  Anthony V Super Reviewer
• Jun 18, 2007

  Sayles best work by far. Simply an amazing film, a must for fans of the Wire. The fact this isn't available on DVD is proof of a cruel uncaring god.
  Ken S Super Reviewer

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