King of New York – Review

King of New York

with Christopher Walken, Larry Fishburne, David Caruso
Directed by Abel Ferrara
(Vidmark, 1991)
by Reggie Kray

If you’re like me, and love the fact that Christopher Walken even exists, much less looks like one of us when we know that he’s from another planet entirely, then you’ll love King of New York, an Abel (Bad Lieutenant) Ferrara tale of morals and bullet holes. It’s textbook Walken, tailor-made for his blank stares and jaundiced sneers. From taking out mob bosses, to dancing, we adore the man for doing what we can’t, and for being what we are afraid to be.

Ferrara’s landscapes are the dirty wastelands of New York City, the seedy underbelly of a society and its demons. In this folk tale, Frank White (Walken), a drug kingpin, is released from jail, having seen the light from his cell window. Meanwhile, Fishburne, the leader of White’s savage crew, takes care of matters by assassinating White’s rivals upon his release so he can be on top again, but Frank has other plans. He feels compelled to give back to the community by keeping a hospital in the Bronx from closing, even if it means stealing drug money from his enemies. On his trail are two cops who know his stench and want him off the streets. King of New York, an exciting story of crime and morals, showcases Walken’s talent at its finest. This is a bad-ass movie.