I seem to say this a lot but Blue City really is a very under rated Brat Pack movie. Judd Nelson plays Billy Turner, a guy who returns to his home town to find out his dad, the mayor of Blue City, has been killed. From there it’s about Billy trying to find answers and not being afraid to do anything to get them.
Ally Sheedy’s character isn’t exactly very complex. She plays the love interest and does so as well as can be expected. It is a slightly different role for Sheedy in that she’s edgier than in previous roles and more of a bad girl.
Blue City was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by Ross MacDonald. When I say based I mean it in the loosest possible sense. I think that is part of the reason the film was so poorly received. Fans of the novel were expecting something more than just a watered down Beverly Hills Cop. The movie was probably aimed at more of a teen audience and an awful lot of the storyline was changed as a result.
Blue City was very poorly received by critics upon release, and was nominated for a host of awards at the 7th Golden Raspberry Awards.
This movie was never going to win any awards, positive ones anyway, but I still enjoyed it for the most part. I think as long as you aren’t a fan of the book and you are a fan of the Brat Pack, you’ll enjoy Blue City.
Brat Pack Rating
I’d give Blue City a solid if unspectacular Brat Pack rating of 6 out of 10.
Blue City Characters
Billy Turner – Played by Judd Nelson
Annie Rayford – Played by Ally Sheedy
Joey Rayford – Played by CSI’s David Caruso
Blue City Trivia
Look out for a young David Caruso.