'Empire' is a film that had a lot of potential but due to the bad writing, several plot holes and weak direction, the film fails. I mean, is Victor Rosa really that stupid to not put anything on paper when making a business agreement with a stranger, which involves so much money? Was Jack really stupid enough to give his mother's telephone number to Victor and to continue using the same name? The ending (well, most of the film actually) is downright predictable.
John Leguizamo tries his best to bring out the main character but it suffers due to the bad writing. His voice-over starts well but as the film proceeds towards the end, the monologues/dialogues get worse. The actor is no doubt talented and one couldn't have done more with such a role. Yet, his acting shines in several scenes. Newcomer Cotto does well even though she merely plays the 'typical' girlfriend who's against his 'job'. Sarsgaard and Rosselini (miscast) are wasted and Richards adds some comic relief. The characters of the Caucasians were very much caricatures.
On the whole, it still wasn't a completely terrible flick. Just one that could have been way better. For me, it was John Leguizamo's acting that made it worth the watch.
John Leguizamo tries his best to bring out the main character but it suffers due to the bad writing. His voice-over starts well but as the film proceeds towards the end, the monologues/dialogues get worse. The actor is no doubt talented and one couldn't have done more with such a role. Yet, his acting shines in several scenes. Newcomer Cotto does well even though she merely plays the 'typical' girlfriend who's against his 'job'. Sarsgaard and Rosselini (miscast) are wasted and Richards adds some comic relief. The characters of the Caucasians were very much caricatures.
On the whole, it still wasn't a completely terrible flick. Just one that could have been way better. For me, it was John Leguizamo's acting that made it worth the watch.