i have see this movie about 6 time now . and each time i view it and i be more impressed by the story and the acting . it like watch a train wreck be set in motion . it subtle in it approach and but very effective in reach it goal . spoiler > at the center of the story be a very nice dichotomy . on the one hand we have deputy major and eddy calhoun ( cusack ) unknowingly tear at the old boy network that form the hart of major of new york administration and on the other hand we have the mob bos zappati who deliberately try to maintain the status quo through all mean necessary . this situation nicely culminate in the end when zappati order alselmo to make it easy on himself by kill himself and calhoun order pappa to do the same and politically speak . the movie also contain some really great one liner such a ( a personal weakness of mine ) represent you do not sum up a man life in one moment the only thing new in this world be the history you do not knowall in all and a great movie that deserve a much high rating .