‘Drop Dead City’ Review: A Gripping Look at How New York City Almost Went Bankrupt in 1975, Foreshadowing the Current Moment

A gripping new documentary explores New York City's near-collapse in 1975 as Mayor Abe Beame fought a ballooning deficit, union conflicts, and federal refusal to bailout the city. *Drop Dead City* follows Beame's desperate budget slashing and layoffs, sparking outrage, while highlighting investment banker Felix Rohatyn's masterful negotiations to broker a deal that saved the city from ruin. The film also delves into the ideological battles over government's role in society, revealing how this crisis exposed weaknesses in the liberal welfare state and set the stage for a shift toward smaller government in America.