It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

A South Bronx drug dealer (Leguizamo) with an uncommon sense of honor and professionalism longs for a better life and thinks he has found his way into mainstream respectability when he meets slick and duplicitous Wall Street investment banker Jack Wimmer (Sarsgaard in an uncharacteristically one-dimensional performance). Things go well at first and he believes he has left his old life behind for good but then disaster strikes.Written and directed by Franc Reyes this was a star vehicle for non-star John Leguizamo who also co-produced. Its pretensions are toward being a modern version of a 1930's Warner Brothers gangster picture with the Shakespearian rise and fall of a strong-willed character. Instead it falls flat with a preposterous premise and stereotypical shoot-em up elements.This is a thoroughly amateurish production right down to the casting of the extras and one wonders why solid actors like Sarsgaard, Rosellini, Serrano and Braga would have let themselves get talked into doing something like this.Reyes may have thought he was being clever by giving roles to people that aren't really actors but the result is a mess filled with awful performances that only picks up energy at the end (by which time most of the amateur actors' characters have been killed off).

When I started this movie I had no idea this movie would be that good. And I got that impression because it was rated 5.9 at IMDb where as stupid movies like Long Kiss Goodnight and Time Machine are rated better. The storyline is well built and depiction of how illegit people make and save money,how they fear the system of banks , police etc is wonderful. The narration is good and steady with the movie. This movie also shows how a person can get blinded with thirst of money and the character "Carmen" is a very good example of a simple and perfect woman. A woman who is plain at heart, looks at the quality of people than superficial things. I think people should gather a lot from this character than some woman who dates million guys and still is worried about her shoes or a woman who tries to travel around the world to find herself and criticizes other cultures and places. Carmen also gives an example of how much woman would love when she sincerely loves someone and how she can forgive and forget. The lead role, Victor is a perfect example of people involved in things that are really messed up. His state of confusion, narcissism and insensibility is amazingly screen played. The most touching scene is when he actually realizes the truth about life and especially about the kind of life he lives. An amazing movie, director puts you glued up to our seat for the entire movie although as the story unfolds, it might get too easy to comprehend. A beautiful story and wonderful direction but to me it is too straight forward for movies like this and this is the only reason why I had to rate it 9 or else it would have been an 10. Overall, worth watching it and kudos to everyone.

Hispanic gangsters crash with Wall Street yuppies, a plot that is given away in Empire's trailers. A story that starts out interesting, eventually falls short. Victor Rosas (Leguizamo)is a gangster with only 3 guys in his crew? Wouldn't "La Colombiana" have her own Wall Street broker for laundering purposes? If "La Colombiana" is so powerful how come she only has one hit-man, her brother? Rosas keeps his cash in safe vaults? I'm used to the Italian gangster film where the characters have a restaurant usually, in order to cover their money's tracks from the feds and the IRS. The problem between Rosas' and Tito's (Fat Joe) gang could have been solved with a phone call. Sarsgaard's and Richard's characters are one-dimensional caricatures of yuppies. For all of Rosas' street smarts, he severely lacks common sense. After a trivial argument with his then pregnant girlfriend he kicks her out of the car and leaves her on the street. Franc Reyes should stick to music videos, as the mix of music in many scenes is one of the few bright spots this movie has. Overall, a weak plot and script. Only Leguizamo shines in his role, all the other actors lack charisma.

Just caught up with this film on cable. I never saw it when it was released, and frankly, it was my loss. Franc. Reyes has directed a surprising first feature that has a glossy noirish look. It speaks volumes for a new director to have a style that's easy on the eye as well as for the mind.John Leguizamo is a huge talent. I have seen him on stage in almost all of his solo presentations and can tell anyone that this man is a dynamo. He never stops surprising; he has a range that few others have and he uses it to his advantage. Mr. Leguizamo's Victor makes a deep impression. We never let our eyes leave Victor for a moment; this man is the product of the streets, but he proves to have a mind of his own and a sophistication that are not easy to match.The idea of casting Peter Sargaard as Jack was pure genius. This actor is about one of the best working in films at the moment. In the movie he is the suave Jack who has a hidden agenda. Mr. Sargaard perfectly balances the action. His character is the product of the best schools. Victor is impressed because Jack accepts him from the beginning without apparent reservations or prejudice.The problem with the film is that we know how it's going to end, and we weren't wrong. It was predictable, but the director and the two principals made the film a joy to watch.The rest of the cast was fine, especially Denise Richards, a beautiful Delilah Cotto, who can give JayLo a lot of competition in the looks department, and Isabella Rosellini, who is perfect as La Colombiana with her big hair and furs.