Broken City 2013

NYPD detective Billy Taggart finds himself in a precarious situation when he is apprehended for the murder of Mikey Tavarez, a man connected to a gruesome crime involving the heinous assault and murder of Taggart’s friend Yesenia Barea. Mikey had evaded prosecution due to a legal loophole, leaving Taggart emotionally charged and desperate for justice. In an attempt to protect Taggart, his superior officer, Captain Carl Fairbanks, reaches out to Mayor Nicholas Hostetler, who manipulates the evidence—specifically, a video that could incriminate Taggart—allowing him to walk free in what the judge deems self-defense. In a private conversation, the mayor praises Taggart as a “hero,” yet forces him out of the police department, asserting that he will repay this favor when the time is right.

Fast forward seven years, and Taggart, now working as a private investigator, faces financial ruin with a staggering $42,000 debt. Despite his struggles, he continues to help clients without demanding upfront payments, leading to a string of late or non-existent payments. His girlfriend, Natalie Barrow, an actress with a film premiere on the horizon, becomes a source of worry for Taggart as he suspects her co-star Ryan may have ulterior motives toward her.

The plot thickens when Taggart is approached by Hostetler, who hires him to look into rumors of infidelity concerning his wife, Cathleen Hostetler. With Hostetler in a tight race for re-election, the stakes couldn’t be higher. His political rival, Jack Valliant, accuses him of outright corruption regarding the Bolton Village real estate deal, worth a staggering $4 billion, aimed at a major kickback. Hostetler believes the residents will benefit from this deal and urgently requests a comprehensive report before the election, knowing the potential scandal could jeopardize his political future.

With Taggart deepening his investigation, assisted by his aide Katy Bradshaw, he discovers that Cathleen is involved with Paul Andrews, Valliant’s campaign manager. By shadowing Andrews, Taggart captures incriminating photographs, which only complicate matters further. At a fundraiser, Cathleen acknowledges her awareness of being followed and urges Taggart to reconsider his loyalty to her husband. She offers him a handsome sum to terminate his contract with Hostetler, but Taggart, feeling bound by the mayor’s influence, refuses.

As events unfold, Taggart finds himself grappling with his troubled past and burgeoning alcoholism, reigniting an internal conflict about his own morality. During the premiere of Natalie’s film, the truth about her identity—being Yesenia’s sister—pierces Taggart’s heart, deepening his remorse. The tension escalates when he learns of Andrews’ murder, forcing him to confront both Fairbanks and Valliant, ultimately revealing the complicated web of corruption surrounding Hostetler.

The storyline culminates as Taggart discovers that Hostetler’s benefactor, Sam Lancaster, plans to demolish Bolton Village for profit, leaving its impoverished residents homeless. After a harrowing chase with Hostetler’s henchmen, Taggart leads the investigation to Todd Lancaster, who surprisingly reveals that he wants to expose the very corruption entwined in his father’s dealings with Hostetler, hoping to aid Valliant’s campaign.

With critical evidence in hand, Taggart confronts Hostetler, only to find that the mayor has a powerful card up his sleeve—secret footage of Taggart’s past crime. Forced to choose between his safety and justice, Taggart decides to expose Hostetler’s nefarious activities, even if it means sacrificing his freedom. Through this selfless act, he hopes to safeguard the future of those in Bolton Village and preserve Natalie’s legacy. The film wraps with Fairbanks arresting Hostetler while secretly revealing his own affair with Cathleen. As Taggart finds a moment of solace at a bar with Fairbanks, they share a bittersweet toast to Valliant’s victory, and Taggart holds onto hope for a reunion with Katy after he serves his time.