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IMDb > Empire (2002)
Empire
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Empire (2002) -- A stunning crime drama about a gang member who tries to escape his dangerous life through Wall Street - and finds it just as deadly.  Fierce gunplay and tense business deals are just as exciting in this thought-provoking exploration of the criminal mind.
Empire (2002) -- US Home Video Trailer from Universal Pictures
Empire (2002) -- Home Video Preview
Empire (2002) -- US Theatrical Trailer from Universal Pictures

Overview

User Rating:
5.9/10   4,231 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Franc. Reyes (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Empire on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 December 2002 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Two worlds collide.
Plot:
A successful South Bronx drug dealer turns his back on his roots and gives money with a Wall Street broker to invest for him.. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
User Reviews:
Excellent gangster flick - John Leguizamo shines!! more (63 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

John Leguizamo ... Victor Rosa

Peter Sarsgaard ... Jack

Denise Richards ... Trish

Vincent Laresca ... Jimmy

Isabella Rossellini ... La Colombiana
Sonia Braga ... Iris

Delilah Cotto ... Carmen

Nestor Serrano ... Rafael Menendez
Anthony 'Treach' Criss ... Chedda (as Treach)
Rafael Báez ... Jay
Fat Joe ... Tito Severe (as Fat Joe 'Joseph Cartagena')

Carlos Leon ... Hector
Felix Solis ... Jose
Omar Pastran ... Jason
Rob B. Campbell ... Det. O'Brien
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, drug content and some sexuality.
Runtime:
90 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Shot in 22 days. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Trish is shot and falls on the bed, the gun she was holding is next to her right hand. In the next shot, it is on the left side. more
Quotes:
Jack: What do you do?
Victor Rosa: [Admiring Jack's luxurious apartment] Obviously whatever it is I do, I'm not doing enough of it, that's for damn sure!
Jack: Yeah?
Victor Rosa: But basically I'm self-employed.
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Soundtrack:
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FAQ

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11 out of 13 people found the following review useful.
Excellent gangster flick - John Leguizamo shines!!, 7 April 2004
8/10
Author: Robert Clarke from Wrexham, North Wales

A little gem of a gangster film. Not totally original, it could be seen as a homage to many of its predecessors, yet it delivers and keeps you interested right until the very end.

John Leguizamo plays local drug dealer Victor Rosa who sees the opportunity yo "branch out" into other areas and let his drug money work for him in the stock market when he meets, through his girlfriend, a up and coming wall street executive. Problem is that he finds it harder and harder to move away from his dangerous life on the streets, and still ends up having to deal with his crew of trigger happy homeboys, rival drug dealers and drug kingpins - which turns out to be a hell of a lot harder than before.

Leguizamo is brilliant in the lead role and has good support from the likes of Peter Sarsgaard, as his new wall street chum, and Vincent Laresca as his best friend from childhood. Its also good to see old stagers Isabella Rossellini and Sonia Braga again.

Denise Richards (not really having to act here, which suits her fine) and unknown Delilah Cotto are good eye candy, and do well as the sexy female leads.

An A for effort to all involved.

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more (63 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Empire (2002)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I honestly don't know why everyone hates on this movie. dtomash
wasnt it kind of dumb eddiegenovese
Denise Richards rkelman
Awful, however... c_boy101
The DUMBEST line in the movie.... waterboarder85
Violin Song!!!!! L_jarqs
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