"Asphalt City," directed by Jean-Stephane Sauvaire and adapted from Shannon Burke's 2008 gritty novel Black Flies, thrusts the audience into the helter-skelter life of an NYC paramedic. The film focuses on Ollie (Tye Sheridan), a fresh-faced recruit grappling with the chaotic world of emergency medical services, battered by frustration, societal apathy, and the harsh realities of urban poverty.
In Sauvaire’s unique portrayal, the city's dark side is brought to life with unflinching realism. Ollie's exhaustive journey is peppered with ethnic tension, failed communication, and domestic neglect; the gritty portrait of almost insurmountable obstacles in helping those who seem least grateful. Ollie, striving to maintain his sanity while preparing for med school, adds yet another layer of complexity to the narrative.
Ollie's veteran partner, Rut (Sean Penn), provides a contrast to naive Ollie's struggle. Rut's practicality and years of experience yield a certain cynicism that takes him down a morally ambiguous path as the film progresses. Meanwhile, Ollie's gruff station chief, convincingly played by Mike Tyson, further complicates the harsh reality of paramedic life.
"Asphalt City" shines brightest when it settles into its quieter moments, such as a moving scene where Ollie and Rut encounter a neglected patient at a nursing home. These somber glimpses into their world make the intense moments even more jarring. While some scenes border on overdramatic, the film overall offers an unrelenting look into the lives of those risking everything amidst the concrete jungle.
