Archive listings for The Yards (2001)

South London Guardian (11Jan01): As the lead character [Mark Walhberg]'s presence is almost as outstanding as wallpaper. Even in the final scene when he explains his actions after destroying the most powerful family in New York is seems half asleep. In the mist of excessively faint performances it is only [Joaquin Phoenix] who stands out as the snake-like Willie. From his debut as the wasted murderer in To Die For to the empire's son in the blockbuster Gladiator, Phoenix has increasingly out performed most actors around him with a combination of nervous vulnerability and seductive ruthlessness. In this film you cannot take your eyes off him. While he goes in for the attack, making deal after charming deal, his eyes portray a need to confess. The rest of the characters fall by the wayside as Phoenix hovers through the scenes looking for prey. With such half-hearted characters in a relentlessly gloomy atmosphere it's no revelation that your left with a messy and, at times, boring film.