Why Mark Wahlberg Thought ‘Broken City’ Could Be ‘Chinatown’ – And Why It Failed

Mark Wahlberg’s career has been a rollercoaster, with some critically acclaimed films like Boogie Nights and The Departed, but also some notorious flops like The Happening and the Planet of the Apes remake. For every success, there’s an eye-roll-worthy project, and one that often gets lost in the shuffle is his 2013 film Broken City.

In this cop drama directed by Allan Hughes, Wahlberg stars as Billy Taggart, a private detective hired by New York City’s mayor (played by Russell Crowe) to investigate his wife’s (Catherine Zeta-Jones) infidelity. While the film’s star-studded cast, including Jeffrey Wright, Barry Pepper, and Kyle Chandler, provides decent performances, the movie itself failed to leave a lasting impact. However, if you ask Wahlberg, Broken City is much more than its lukewarm reception suggests.

In an interview with BlackFilm to promote the film, Wahlberg made a bold comparison, claiming the script was “so well written” that it reminded him of great films like Chinatown. “I knew it would attract serious talent because all the parts were so rich and well-written,” he said, highlighting the caliber of actors involved. He also praised Brian Tucker for his work on the screenplay, confident that the film’s depth would resonate with audiences and critics alike.

Wahlberg’s enthusiasm isn’t entirely unwarranted. Both Chinatown and Broken City feature private investigators at their core, set in atmospheric urban landscapes with elements of noir. But that’s where the similarities between the two films end. While Chinatown is set in 1930s Los Angeles and remains a critically adored classic with a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Broken City is a contemporary film set in New York City—and it simply doesn’t deliver in the same way.

Despite Wahlberg’s high praise for Broken City, critics were less than kind. Reviews largely condemned the film for its derivative story, convoluted setup, and lackluster execution. Unlike Chinatown, which won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and earned 11 nominations, Broken City failed to garner any significant critical acclaim. The film grossed just $34.7 million on a production budget of $35-$56.8 million, which further underscored its struggle to gain traction with audiences.

Wahlberg’s heart seemed to be in the right place during his promotion of the film. He genuinely spoke about what makes a good thriller—strong writing, compelling characters, and unexpected twists. Unfortunately, Broken City failed to deliver on these promises. While Wahlberg’s enthusiasm for the project is evident, the final product didn’t move audiences or critics in the same way films like Chinatown did.

It’s clear that Wahlberg was invested in Broken City not only as an actor but also as a producer. But despite his efforts and the film’s talented ensemble, the movie’s failure to live up to his lofty comparisons serves as a reminder of the fine line between ambition and execution in Hollywood filmmaking.