Night and the City (1992)

64% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(751 ratings)

Night and the City is a remake of the 1950 Richard Widmark vehicle of the same name. Major changes: As played by Robert DeNiro, the Widmark character, one Harry Fabian, is no longer merely a two-bit tout but instead a two-bit lawyer; and the film is set in New York, as opposed to the London setting… More Night and the City is a remake of the 1950 Richard Widmark vehicle of the same name. Major changes: As played by Robert DeNiro, the Widmark character, one Harry Fabian, is no longer merely a two-bit tout but instead a two-bit lawyer; and the film is set in New York, as opposed to the London setting of the original. While embroiled in a lawsuit involving a boxer, Fabian becomes fascinated in the world of championship prizefights. Always susceptible to get-rich-quick schemes, Fabian tries to organize his own big boxing event, but to do that he needs the help of hardnosed promoter Alan King--and to get to King, Fabian uses the promoter's father, former boxer Jack Warden, to act as front man. Fabian scurries around lying and double-dealing in order to sell percentages of the upcoming bout, while King warns Fabian of the consequences should anything unfortunate happen to the ailing Warden. Disaster plagues Fabian as his boxers fail to pass their physicals, and Warden dies while setting up the big event. Pursued by King and his creditors, the terrified Fabian is urged by girlfriend Jessica Lange to get of town. Instead, Fabian decides to face up to his failings for the first time in his life, and stands his ground for the final, fatal confrontation. Like the earlier Widmark film, the 1992 Night and the City is based on a novel by Gerald Kersh. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Irwin Winkler
Written By: Richard Price
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Oct 11, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Apr 21, 1993
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
An unnecessary remake? judged by the end result. it's hard to tell what motivated Irwin Winkler, a poor director, to redo the Jules Dassin noir classic of the 1940s; perhaps the opportunity to work with De Niro and Jessica Lange, though neither is good

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mason W

Night and the City starring Robert De Niro and Jessica Lange is a good drama set in NYC. Harry (De Niro) is a ambulance chasing lawyer whom is romantically involved with a married woman (Lange) who works at her own bar. A good film to see with the great actors De Niro & Lange.
matt s

So De Niro does great here, and his monologues and way of speaking incessantly are pretty good. But this film, it just feels like this tired, old retread of something out there that's better. Oh wait, it's a remake, that's why! I mean, Warden's good, hell, even… More
So De Niro does great here, and his monologues and way of speaking incessantly are pretty good. But this film, it just feels like this tired, old retread of something out there that's better. Oh wait, it's a remake, that's why! I mean, Warden's good, hell, even Lange and her terrible accent isn't half bad, but I wasn't compelled to watch this movie that much. The ending was scattershot, and I could've seen it coming a mile away. I'm sure the original is better. This one, leave it in bin next to Eight-Legged Freaks and The Wiz.

Cast

            Robert De Niro as Harry Fabian

            Jessica Lange as Helen Nasseros

            Cliff Gorman as Phil Nasseros

            Alan King as "Boom-Boom" Grossman

            Jack Warden as Al Grossman

            Eli Wallach as Peck

            Barry Primus as Tommy Tessler

            Gene Kirkwood as Resnick

            Pedro Sanchez as Cuda Sanchez

            Michael Badalucco as Elaine's Bartender

            Leslie Bart as Boom Boom's Secretary

            Peter Bucossi as Attacker

            David W. Butler as Bonney

            Anthony Canarozzi as Emmet Gorgon

            Louis Cantarini as Boxing Official

            Philip Carlo as Peck's Guy

            Clem Caserta as 2nd Steel Jaw

            Mitch Cunningham as Kid at Disco

            Joseph D'Onofrio as Mike

            Brenda Denmar as Kid's Mom

            Ann Devaney as Gorgon's Girl

            Tommy A. Ford as Herman

            Nathaniel E. Johnson as Kid Client

            Frank Jones as Dugan

            Cameron Lane as 1st Mugger

            Ben Lin as Duk Soo Kim

            Victor Machado as Santiago

            Rolaslind Malloff as Frieda

            Henry Milligan as Cotton

            Gerry Murphy as 1st Steel Jaw

            Harsh Nayyar as Faruz

            Lorenzo Palminteri as Tommy Carver

            Joy Philbin as Herself

            John Polce as Bouncer

            Lou Polo as Jap Epstein

            Sharrieff Pugh as 2nd Mugger

            Dave Reilly as 2nd Cop

            Catherine Russell as Singer

            Nandan Sage as Gupta

            Kenn Scott as Kid on Phone

            Maurice Shrog as Gym Manager

            Barry Squitieri as Marty Kaufman

            Bert Randolph Sugar as Guy at Bar

            Mitchell Tex Low as Delivery Man

            Byron Utley as Frisker

            Lisa Vidal as Carmen

            Deborah Watkins as Nun

            Margo Winkler as Judge

            Carol Woods as Secretary

            Richard Price as Doctor

            John Quinn as Bartender

            Todd Thaler
            
            Chuck Low as Freddy DiMario
See full cast