well and there be a plenty of way how to spoil a political thriller . usually they be derivative or too ambitious and often they feature a conspiracy that be totally paranoic and unbelievable . but city hall do not do neither of the above mention . the plot be cleverly craft and story be believable . as far a character go i would say this movie be a solid average . no character seem out of place and al pacino be brilliant a always . his portrayal of a charismatic nyc mayor be superb and prove again that al pacino belongs to the absolute top of american actor nowadays .