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Empire tells the story of one man who tries to redeem himself. By swimming with sharks, however, he has become complacent and oblivious to bait. It is said that every person has his or her price and here, the price of redemption is exceedingly high.

The camera work in Empire and the pounding soundtrack by Ruben Blades are highlights of the film. Empire opens with an overhead shot of a large city and then narrows down to one person, John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge), who narrates his story. He is a drug dealer and has his own empire, measured in square feet, where he sells his brand of dope called Empire. When his long-time girlfriend (Delilah Cotto) discovers she is pregnant, John starts thinking of getting out of his part of the world. But in order to do this, he must have cash---lots of it---and here comes Peter Sarsgaard and his girlfriend, Denise Richards, with an investment plan guaranteed to bring a high rate of return. The two worlds---the street and Wall Street---size each other up and down and decide they can do business but the silent partner in the deal---greed---becomes vocal with a price of its own.

Empire is a cut above films of people from the wrong side of the tracks trying to right their private wrongs. John Leguizamo does an incisive portrayal of a man who lives in the streets. He can be tender and violent within the snap of fingers. John's boss is an unrecognizable Isabella Rossellini, who may stake a claim for the tallest hairdo of 2002. Looking startlingly like Elizabeth Taylor, Isabella plays her drug deals for keeps. John's counterpart from Wall Street is Peter Sarsgaard who looks like preppie gone bad. Able to adapt to any circumstance, Peter is a guy with a mission. The clinker in the film is who-said-she-could-act Denise Richards. Methinks it is the voice that grates the most, but she does have one good scene. Delilah Cotto as John's girlfriend who really has to adjust to a new lifestyle gives a memorable performance.

In the supporting cast, Vincent Laresca as Jimmy, John's long-time friend, plays a hot-tempered man who is always getting himself in trouble. Fat Joe as Tito has a scene that will go down in movie lore for what its surprising use of a sofa. When there is a shoot-out in his club, Tito starts pulling sofa cushions aside to grab a gun and this escalates until unbelievable hardware comes from the back of that sofa. Makes the average living room look downright tame.

Empire is a nice little gem by writer/director Franc Reyes. The cast, with the exception of Richards, does well, and as with Eminen's 8 Mile the supporting players make the film. There is a division between one side of the tracks and the other and both sides know it. When you cross the line, be prepared for anything and everything. It may be pleasant, it may be deadly, but you have been forewarned by the simple fact of taking that extra step across the line.

Copyright 2002 Marie Asner
Submitted 12/15/02