The Yards

The Yards 2000

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron and James Caan, The Yards' screenplay is based on a true story. Directed by James Gray, the film is based on a true corruption scandal involving the director's father in the mid-1980s. Leo (Mark Wahlberg) is a young man fresh out of prison with a previous conviction for stealing cars. His plan for the future is to find a legal job and start a new life. He joins his uncle's company with his close friend Willie (Joaquin Phoenix) and starts working as a technician. Meanwhile, Willie has an affair with Leo's cousin Erica (Charlize Theron), which leads to marriage. The family portrait ends with Erica's mother, played by Faye Dunaway. However, after a while, Leo's plans do not go as he wishes. He suddenly became a wanted suspect in the murder. He begins to lead a fugitive life to prove his innocence. With a very good visual director and good lighting, the movie adequately captures the paranoid mood.