Directed by:
John SaylesScreenplay:
John SaylesCinematography:
Robert RichardsonComposer:
Mason DaringCast:
Vincent Spano, Stephen Mendillo, Chris Cooper, Tony Lo Bianco, Joe Morton, Jace Alexander, Todd Graff, Scott Schutzman Tiler, John Sayles, Frankie Faison (more)Plots(1)
John Sayles's richly layered City of Hope interweaves separate stories into a gritty portrait of the spiderweb of political deal making and duplicity that controls the economic fortunes of an American city. The mayor is eager to erect condominiums that will displace low-income families in apartments owned by builder Joe Rinaldi. Joe's son, Nick, struggles to resolve conflicted feelings about his father and become his own person. Wynn, the only black man on the city council, tries to fight for his constituents but faces opposition from black leaders who see him as colluding with the establishment. And sleazy opportunist Carl, played by Sayles, exploits every angle for his own gain. These vividly etched characters and others connect and collide as Sayles's camera prowls the dark city streets. Amid the prophetic rantings of David Strathairn's street person—"Why settle for less when you can have it all?"—are redeeming moments of compassion and grace that make this a true "city of hope." (Sundance Film Festival)
(more)Cast
![Vincent Spano](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/267/267814_40a2a7.jpg)
Vincent Spano
USA
Best movies:
Alive (1993)
Over the Edge (1979)
Good Morning, Babylon (1987)
Stephen Mendillo
USA
Best movies:
The Artist (2011)
The Saint of Fort Washington (1993)
Empire Falls (2005) (TV movie)
![Chris Cooper](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/451/161451798_503ea7.png)
Chris Cooper
USA
Best movies:
American Beauty (1999)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Bourne Identity (2002)
![Tony Lo Bianco](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/359/359150_59de6b.jpg)
Tony Lo Bianco
USA
Best movies:
Serpico (1973)
The French Connection (1971)
Jesus of Nazareth (1977) (TV movie)
![Joe Morton](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/267/267502_f2bb7c.jpg)
Joe Morton
USA
Best movies:
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
American Gangster (2007)
Of Mice and Men (1992)
Jace Alexander
USA
Best movies:
Matewan (1987)
Love and a .45 (1994)
Crocodile Dundee 2 (1988)
Todd Graff
USA
Best movies:
The Abyss (1989)
Dominick and Eugene (1988)
Strange Days (1995)
![Scott Schutzman Tiler](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/388/160388573_0d8208.jpg)
Scott Schutzman Tiler
Best movies:
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Three O'Clock High (1987)
City of Hope (1991)
![John Sayles](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/269/269722_83d474.jpg)
John Sayles
USA
Best movies:
Matewan (1987)
Passion Fish (1992)
Gridlock'd (1997)
![Frankie Faison](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/272/272477_0a404a.jpg)
Frankie Faison
USA
Best movies:
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Mississippi Burning (1988)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
![Gloria Foster](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/277/277594_f48f09.jpg)
Gloria Foster
USA
Best movies:
The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The Comedians (1967)
![Tom Wright](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/328/328292_43e0c7.jpg)
Tom Wright
USA
Best movies:
The Pentagon Wars (1998) (TV movie)
Matewan (1987)
Passion Fish (1992)
![Angela Bassett](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/053/161053196_415c27.png)
Angela Bassett
USA
Best movies:
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Soul (2020)
Contact (1997)
![David Strathairn](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/267/267817_d1e782.jpg)
David Strathairn
USA
Best movies:
L.A. Confidential (1997)
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Temple Grandin (2010) (TV movie)
![Tony Denison](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/440/162440457_646537.jpg)
Tony Denison
USA
Best movies:
Now You Know (2002)
The Harvest (1992)
Full Eclipse (1993) (TV movie)
![Kevin Tighe](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/273/273240_901a53.jpg)
Kevin Tighe
USA
Best movies:
The Graduate (1967)
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Matewan (1987)
Josh Mostel
USA
Best movies:
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
The Basketball Diaries (1995)
Radio Days (1987)
![Joe Grifasi](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/176/160176810_24c488.jpg)
Joe Grifasi
USA
Best movies:
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Sunday (1997)
![Gina Gershon](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/267/267437_6fcaae.jpg)
Gina Gershon
USA
Best movies:
Face/Off (1997)
The Insider (1999)
P.S. I Love You (2007)
Jamie Tirelli
USA
Best movies:
Carlito's Way (1993)
Fort Apache the Bronx (1981)
Marathon Man (1976)