Writer/director James Gray brings us the story of wild and crazy nightclub manager Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix) who has a family secret. His father, Deputy Chief Albert Grusinsky (Robert Duvall) and his brother, Capt. Joe Grusinsky (Mark Walhberg), work for the New York City Police Department.

Bobby has a strained relationship with his family, but Joe wants him to turn informant to help take down Vadim Nezhinski (Alex Veadov), a Russian drug dealer who’s been seen at the club.

Bobby’s attitude toward his family changes when his brother is shot by a hitman. Bobby turns into an informant after quickly learning it was Vadim. During a drug deal, Vadim finds out Bobby is a rat and tries to kill him. Now, Vadim is after all three men. Can Bobby kill Vadim and get his family out alive?

It’s a treat watching Phoenix’s performance as Bobby transform his character from the beginning to the end. I wanted to see more of Walhberg and Duvall. I wished the director had a stronger story because with this all-star cast it had the potential of being an Oscar-worthy film. Overall, it’s still a must-see film.

Rating: 3 out of 4