Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- melancholic
- somber
- rainy day
- late night viewing
What critics said
Critics found the film well acted but weighed down by melodrama and familiar clichés.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Vincent must investigate a murder while the suspect is his estranged son Joey.
The return to Long Beach's deteriorating boardwalks externalizes Vincent's buried family trauma and Joey's destructive circumstances.
Vincent remains haunted by his father's conviction and execution while fearing that the same destructive path may reach his grandson.
The investigation forces Vincent to confront how his failures as a father have affected Joey and the next generation.
Films like City by the Sea, and why
The Pledge
shared neo-noir crime investigation, urban melancholy, and morally compromised detective figure
We Own the Night
shared family estrangement, police investigation, and somber crime-drama atmosphere
A History of Violence
shared father-son conflict, criminal pressure, and emotionally heavy urban crime storytelling
Mystic River
shared detective procedural framework, damaged family relationships, and bleak psychological tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Caton-Jones
- Release Date
- 2002-09-06
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (399)
Cast
- Robert De Niro
- Frances McDormand
- James Franco
- Eliza Dushku
- William Forsythe
- Patti LuPone
- Anson Mount
- John Doman
- Brian Tarantina
- Drena De Niro
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is City by the Sea about?
- A haunted New York detective must confront his estranged son's alleged crime and the family trauma he has spent a lifetime avoiding.
- What is City by the Sea like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of City by the Sea as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is City by the Sea violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in City by the Sea as moderate.
- What did critics think of City by the Sea?
- Critics found the film well acted but weighed down by melodrama and familiar clichés.
- Which films are like City by the Sea?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pledge, We Own the Night, A History of Violence, and Mystic River.
- How long is City by the Sea?
- City by the Sea runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch City by the Sea?
- In United States, City by the Sea is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
