I WAITED in vain for Russell Crowe to burst into song a la Les Miserables as the corrupt mayor of New York in this fashionably bleak story of corruption in high places.

It would have given that extra something to what’s essentially a story the movies have done before – and better.

This is the movie Mark Wahlberg, cast here as a disgraced cop turned private detective, was supposed to be publicising when he made his ‘emotional’ appearance on Graham Norton’s BBC chat show (more like slur show in that instance).

He was a lot livelier there than in Broken City as Billy Taggart, whose police career is put in jeopardy when he shoots an unarmed suspect.

Mayor Hostetler (Crowe) offers a deal, making it clear that he’s owed a favour.

Seven years later the mayor comes calling on Taggart and his trusty assistant (Alona Tal). Times are hard for the private eye.

He owes a lot of money so Hostetler’s job to follow his wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) whom he suspects of having an affair is welcome. This is particularly sensitive as the mayor’s in the middle of a bitter election battle.

Of course, it’s not as simple as a case of infidelity, especially as she seems to be involved with one of her husband’s political rivals. Before Taggart knows it, there’s a killing and he’s under the police spotlight again.

Broken City offers solid performances in a reasonably intriguing story but lacks, as they say in showbiz, the wow factor to set it apart.