The Yards
In the rail yards of Queens, contractors repair and rebuild the city's subway cars. These contracts are lucrative, so graft and corruption are rife. When Leo Handler gets out of prison, he finds his aunt married to Frank Olchin, one of the big contractors; he's battling with a minority-owned firm for contracts.
Critics Sentiment
Leo seeks protection from Hector Gallardo and his lawyers
Willie accidentally throws Erica off landing to her death
The film plummets from Leo's strategic turn to Gallardo (7.5) to the tragic death of Erica (3.5), a 4-point drop that represents the story's shift from political maneuvering to personal tragedy.
The Yards maintains steady but unremarkable sentiment through its corruption-focused first half, with critics appreciating the authentic political elements and strong cast performances. The film peaks during Leo's strategic alliance with Gallardo but crashes dramatically with Erica's accidental death, leaving audiences with a cynical ending that divided reviewers between those who appreciated its realism and those who found it unsatisfying.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 68
Mark Wahlberg
Leo Handler
Joaquin Phoenix
Willie Gutierrez
Charlize Theron
Erica Soltz
James Caan
Frank Olchin
Ellen Burstyn
Val Handler
Faye Dunaway
Kitty Olchin
Steve Lawrence
Arthur Mydanick
Andy Davoli
Raymond Price
Tony Musante
Seymour Korman
Victor Argo
Paul Lazarides
Tomas Milian
Manuel Sequiera
Robert Montano
Hector Gallardo
Victor Arnold
Albert Granada
Chad Aaron
Bernard Soltz
Louis Guss
Nathan Grodner
Domenick Lombardozzi
Todd
Joe Lisi
Elliot Gorwitz
David Zayas
Officer Jerry Rifkin
Joseph Ragno
Parole Officer
Teresa Yenque
Maid
Crew
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