Mark Wahlberg talks Broken Cityby Wilson Morales
January 15, 2013
Coming out this week is the cop drama, ‘Broken City,’ which is directed by Allen Hughes and stars Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Barry Pepper, and Kyle Chandler.
Wahlberg plays an ex-cop Billy Taggart who seeks redemption and revenge after being double-crossed and then framed by its most powerful figure: Mayor Nicholas Hostetler (played by Crowe)
This is the first film that Allen Hughes has directed with his partner, brother Albert Hughes. For Wahlberg, this isn’t his round in playing cops. He’s played an officer in ‘We Own the Night’ and in ‘The Departed,’ in which he received an Oscar nomination.
Not only is he acting in the film, but Wahlberg is also one the film’s producers. In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Wahlberg talks about his role in the film and working with Allen Hughes.
Had you worked with the Hughes Brothers before?
Mark Wahlberg: I had never worked with them before but working with Allen was a great experience.
What makes this character different from the ones you have played before?
MW: This is the redemption story but without giving away too much, there was a horrible miscarriage of justice and my character took it upon himself to make it right. It ended up costing him his career and he’s called back to the Mayor’s office, which he thinks is going to be a life-changing experience but not the one he was expecting. When the Mayor hires him to investigate his wife who he thinks is having an affair, he starts to unravel all this corruption and decides to go after the Mayor and do the right thing. Even if it risks losing his own freedom.
What was the attraction to doing this film?
MW: It was so well written. It reminded me of the great movies like Chinatown that I grew up watching. I knew it would attract serious talent because all the parts were so rich and well written that we were able to get the likes of Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jeffrey Wright, and Barry Pepper and Kyle Chandler. It’s a pretty spectacular cast and all the roles are really great. Brian Tucker did an amazing job in writing the screenplay.
How was shooting in New York?
MW: Shooting in New York was great. We almost got into trouble. They almost kicked us out and pulled our permit. Before in New York, you could do what you want, but now you are under a microscope. There was a sequence where my character hadn’t had a drink for seven years and I saw something horrible. My girlfriend in the film is an aspiring actress and did a very small independent film where she was having sex with one of her castmates; and my character loses it and starts drinking and goes into a rampage in the streets. We had the permission to do what I thought what we wanted and when I started smashing bottles, it became a big problem.
How was working with this cast?
MW: It was one of those things where there wasn’t enough time for people to spend quality time to know each other better. Russell and I had met each other on a few occasions socially. Everyone came in prepared. We had one cast read and Catherine was there and so was Jeffrey, but that was it. When you’re dealing with pros and everyone knows their lines and has their take on the material, we just went in and tried to make it as real as possible.
Was this a film you had to do research on?
MW: For me, it was about making sure I knew my lines; and as a producer, putting all the right pieces together and convincing the cast to take less money. I just made sure I was prepared. I’ve played similar characters in the past. I have a vast pool of real-life experience that I can draw from.
As a producer, was it your idea to bring on Allen Hughes as the director?
MW: Allen and I are with the same agency and it was one of those scripts on the black list. Allen had read the script and asked me if I had read it and he said that every time he read it, he kept seeing my face. I got together after I read it and said let’s figure a way to make this work. He actually brought it to me.
What makes a good thriller?
MW: The story, the writing, and the execution from characters. This is something that has some twists and turns that you don’t expect. Even when you know what’s going on, there’s more at stake. The fact this guy would go out there and risk his freedom, it moves people.
How many hats did you wear on the set?
MW: I’ve done it on a few occasions, so you do your job and stay committed to the project.
When do you know that you want to also produce a film as opposed to work as an actor?
MW: I always want to be involved as a producer but if certain people are already involved where they just come to you like the Michael Bay film I just did, Pain and Gain. There’s a thing were you can have creative control as a producer but sometimes you have the responsibility of playing your part and serving someone’s else vision too.
Looking at your schedule, you have a lot of projects coming up. When do you have time to relax?
MW: I’ll figure it out. I’m looking forward to seeing Pain and Gain and the film I shot with Denzel (Washington).
What’s a good reason to see ‘Broken City’?
MW: It’s a well crafted crime thriller.
