City of Lies

City of Lies
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	2018; 8 years ago
Founder	Brad Furman (director), Christian Contreras (screenplay)
Headquarters	Los Angeles, United States
Products	Crime thriller film

City of Lies is a 2018 crime thriller film that explores the Los Angeles Police Department inquiries into the killings of rappers Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G.. Directed by Brad Furman with a screenplay authored by Christian Contreras, the movie is adapted from Randall Sullivan's nonfiction work LAbyrinth. The cast features Johnny Depp portraying retired LAPD detective Russell Poole and Forest Whitaker as journalist Jack Jackson, with supporting roles by Rockmond Dunbar and Neil Brown Jr.

The film had its debut at Italy's Noir in Festival on December 8, 2018, followed by a limited theatrical release in Italy on January 10, 2019. Although initially planned for a U.S. release on September 7, 2018, through Global Road Entertainment, the launch was canceled due to the company's shutdown. Subsequently acquired by Saban Films, it premiered in the United States on March 19, 2021, with a PVOD release following on April 9, 2021. The French premiere took place at the Deauville American Film Festival on September 5, 2021, where Depp received special recognition. The film earned $2.8 million worldwide and garnered mixed reviews from critics.

Plot

Set in 2015, investigative reporter Darius "Jack" Jackson from the Los Angeles Times delves into the murder of the Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) and encounters retired LAPD detective Russell Poole, who has fallen out of favor. Through flashbacks, Poole shares his theory that Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight bribed corrupt police officers to assassinate Wallace and subsequently conceal the crime.

In 1997, shortly after Wallace’s death, Poole probes an incident involving white detective Frank Lyga fatally shooting off-duty black officer Kevin Gaines. Amid the racially tense atmosphere following events like the Rodney King beating and the O. J. Simpson trial, Poole uncovers Gaines’ connections to Knight and ties to the Bloods gang. Despite pressure to close the case, with Lyga cleared but facing a civil lawsuit led by attorney Johnnie Cochran, Poole verifies Knight’s association with Gaines through an undercover FBI operation and is reassigned to investigate Wallace’s homicide.

Working alongside partner Fred Miller, Poole identifies potential suspects such as corrupt officer David Mack, Nation of Islam member Amir Muhammad, and Bloods affiliate Wardell Fouse. Mack, linked to Wallace’s security detail and a bank robbery, is detained but offers no useful information. The investigation then focuses on officer Rafael Pérez, involved in cocaine theft and shootings. After Poole shoots Pérez in self-defense, Pérez implicates himself and others in various crimes tied to the Rampart scandal. Poole assembles a task force and prepares to testify during Lyga’s civil case, asserting Mack’s role in Wallace’s murder and a police cover-up; however, the city settles out of court before trial begins. Lyga fails to fully clear his reputation while Poole faces ostracism within the LAPD.

Voletta Wallace files a wrongful death lawsuit against Los Angeles based on Poole’s findings. Although Mack and Muhammad are initially named suspects, both are dropped before trial by LAPD and FBI authorities. Poole resigns under disgrace just one month shy of qualifying for his pension, which strains his family relationships.

Jackson forms connections with both Poole and Voletta Wallace over many years. He expresses regret for previously suggesting her son was involved in the murder of Tupac Shakur, an apology she accepts graciously. Voletta acknowledges Poole’s dedication and sacrifice. Poole highlights Wallace’s potential earnings estimated at $1 billion and notes that civil litigation could financially devastate the city. While attempting to reopen the case at the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Poole suffers a fatal heart attack.

Haunted by guilt, Jackson pens a highly praised article honoring Poole as an overlooked hero but soon resigns from journalism due to disillusionment with systemic corruption. The murders of Wallace and Tupac remain officially unresolved.

Production

On February 4, 2013, the UK-based company Good Films, led by Miriam Segal, obtained the adaptation rights to Randall Sullivan's nonfiction work LAbyrinth. The book delves into LAPD corruption connected to detective Russell Poole’s investigations into the unresolved murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. Johnny Depp was announced to play Poole on September 7, 2016.

Brad Furman took on directing duties for the film, with Christian Contreras penning the screenplay based on the book. On September 19, 2016, Open Road Films acquired US distribution rights and co-financed the movie alongside Miramax, while Good Universe handled international sales efforts.

Casting

Rockmond Dunbar joined the cast as Dreadlocks on November 11, 2016. Shortly thereafter, Forest Whitaker was cast as the journalist collaborating with Poole to uncover the truth. Neil Brown Jr. was added on November 17 to portray police officer Rafael Pérez. On December 13, Xander Berkeley, Shea Whigham, Wynn Everett, and Toby Huss were brought on board. Two days later, Louis Herthum was cast as a city attorney defending Poole, and Shamier Anderson took on the role of corrupt LAPD officer David "D. Mack" Mack. Amin Joseph joined on January 6, 2017, playing police officer Kevin Gaines, followed by Laurence Mason as FBI agent Dunton on January 18. New talent Joseph Ferrante was added on January 23 for an undisclosed role.

Filming

Principal photography commenced in Los Angeles, California, on December 13, 2016, and concluded in May 2017.

Release

The film’s first trailer—then titled LAbyrinth—was unveiled on May 21, 2018, coinciding with what would have been Notorious B.I.G.’s 46th birthday. Following the merger of Open Road Films and IM Global into Global Road Entertainment, the project was retitled City of Lies and slated for release on September 7, 2018, marking the 22nd anniversary of Tupac Shakur’s death. However, in August 2018 it was removed from the release calendar amid a lawsuit involving Johnny Depp and the film’s location manager; no alternative release date was provided.

There were reports indicating that Depp’s legal troubles served as a pretext to suppress the movie due to its critical portrayal of the Los Angeles Police Department. In July 2020, allegations emerged suggesting that efforts to block distribution aimed to prevent reopening investigations into Notorious B.I.G.’s murder case. On August 29, 2018, Bank Leumi filed suit against Miramax over unpaid financial guarantees linked to the film’s withheld release.

City of Lies had its premiere in Italy at the Noir in Festival on December 9, 2018, followed by a limited theatrical run there starting January 10, 2019. The Blu-ray edition was released on June 19, 2019. The film made its French debut at the Deauville American Film Festival on September 5, 2021; both Depp and director Brad Furman attended as special guests.

On March 4, 2021, Saban Films acquired distribution rights and scheduled a theatrical release for March 19. Later in October 2021, Highland Film Group secured international rights for global sales and marketing efforts.

Box office

During its opening weekend across the United States and Canada, the movie earned $275,049 from 501 theaters, resulting in an average revenue of $549 per location.

Downloads and rentals

For the week ending June 13, 2021, the film secured the top position on Redbox’s rental rankings and placed fifth on the video-on-demand chart.

Critical response

The film holds an approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on a number of reviews, with an average score reflecting overall reception. On Metacritic, it received a weighted average score of 44 out of 100 from 12 critics, signifying "mixed or average" evaluations.

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film 3 out of 4 stars, highlighting Depp and Whitaker’s portrayals as central to its significance and its exploration of the murders of two famous rap artists. John DeFore from The Hollywood Reporter characterized it as a thought-provoking drama addressing vital real-life issues, deserving acknowledgment beyond any offscreen disputes.

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