John Sayles' City of Hope is a portrait of a mid-sized American city and it's complex politics, told through the interweaving narratives of it's citizens. An old apartment block stands in the way of a major commercial development. It's owner, Joe Rinaldi, feels pressure to torch the apartments to allow for the new development, backed by crooked Mayor Baci and policeman O'Brien. Joe's estranged son, Nick, soon becomes a pawn in the power politics of the city by virtue of a botched robbery. Following the arrest of two teenagers, idealistic city councilman Wynn finds himself torn between what he thinks is right, and what his Black constituents want.