Today's review is End of Watch.
Written & Directed by David Ayer.
Review #175
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, some disturbing images, pervasive language including sexual references, and some drug use.
Run Time: 109 min
Cast
Jake Gyllenhaal ...Brian Taylor
Michael Peña ...Mike Zavala
Natalie Martinez ...Gabby
Anna Kendrick ...Janet
David Harbour ...Van Hauser
Frank Grillo ...Sarge
America Ferrera ...Orozco
Cle Shaheed Sloan ...Mr. Tre
Jaime FitzSimons ...Captain Reese
Cody Horn ...Davis
Training Day is considered by many (myself included) as one of the best cop movies in the last 20 years. The film is not just the showcase for one of Denzel Washington's finest performances. It also featured a great performance by Ethan Hawke. Denzel overshadows the amazing work Hawke did playing along side him. Another aspect that gets lost among the acting is the tight story written by Ayer. The script is so biting that it captured the feel of drug infested Los Angeles with the corruption of the LAPD.
Ayer has gone on to write and direct several other cop films also set in LA but his latest is by far his greatest.
Plot
Two young officers are marked for death after confiscating a small cache of money and firearms from the members of a notorious cartel, during a routine traffic stop.
There are so many great things to get into with this movie that I could write for days. I'll save you all the eye strain and just hit you with the best bullet points.
The first is the look of the film.
End of Watch is about 90-95% shot and presented from a first person POV. It has the look and feel of a found footage film that has become the rage in Hollywood but it's not. It's a very creative way to show a film that has a been there, done that premise. The film switches from a handheld camera that Brian is shooting to the cameras inside the squad car to small cameras that are pinned to Brian and Mike's uniforms. It was a very clever idea that works really well.
The perspectives change throughout each scene which provides a unique experience as you go through what Brian and Mike go through. It also provides some pretty intense moments of pause. There are several scenes where our heroes enter houses that "appear" abandoned and while they are conducting their search the camera angles are from their POV. I sat there just waiting for someone to pop out and surprise them a la Paranormal Activity. It really takes you inside the mind of what these cops go through when they enter an unknown environment.
Of course there was a drawback with this new display of photography. When the film doesn't employ the outside camera motif it gets a little confusing. Most of the scenes that deal with this are pretty obvious so you can pick up on it pretty quickly. It's the ones that start out with the multiple camera source elements then at certain points will change to the conventional filming style. It lost me a bit. This is a very minor gripe. I personally enjoyed the hell out of watching this film from it's distinctive viewpoint.
Up next is the story.
Once again Ayer nails it. In fact I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this is his best writing to date. Yes, this includes Training Day. Now I know a lot of you might be thinking I'm nuts but hear me out. As fine as Training Day was. The premise required a little suspension of disbelief. That's not the case with End of Watch. There are some moments in this film that may force you to question the realism of the situation. That being said, End of Watch plays more like a documentary than a traditional cops and robbers flick. The cameras bring you into the lives of these two cops as they spend each day protecting the public while protecting themselves in the process. It's a much more intimate atmosphere that we are privy to. For me this takes End of Watch to a whole new level.
The story also goes much much deeper than what the plot suggests. That is just the tip of the iceberg considering the trials and tribulations that Brian and Mike go through.
In conjunction with the plot. Ayer gave his cast some pretty sharp and witty dialogue. None of these people sound like their acting. They sound like cops. They goof on each other using language that you would expect cops to throw out. It felt like you were watching a fraternity with badges and guns. I'm not suggesting in anyway that cops are sophomoric. I'm saying that in that line of work it's important have fun with your co workers while maintaining professional pride and respect.
Nobody's promised tomorrow in this world but that goes double for cops. So it was fun to see these guys and girls rag on each other to some relentless extents I might add. Then at the drop of a dime have each others backs when the chips were down. Ayer did a wonderful job creating that dynamic between all of the officers. Highlighted by the performances by Gyllenhaal and Peña.
Finally we get to the tone of the film.
End of Watch pulls no punches when it comes to the situations that Brian and Mike deal with as they go about their shift. Very similar to Training Day. End of Watch captures the grittiness of urban Los Angeles. The drug and gang scene is prevalent and hard core. Not once do you feel that Brian and Mike are going to have a simple/safe day on patrol. Things get magnified 100 fold when they respond to what they thought were routine calls. Then they arrive and reality sets in and both Brian and Mike are knee deep in twists and turns that affect both their physical and mental stability. This leads to the only predictable part of the story that lessens the weight of the film. You can see it coming a mile away. Overall it was a necessary plot device. I just wished it wasn't teed up.
Again, this is a minor quibble with a film that I thought was pretty well made. David Ayer really knocked this one out. A great story plus realistic performances plus a unique look equals a really damn good movie.
On the 5 star scale. End of Watch gets 4 stars with a "Worth Every Penny!" recommendation.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is Trouble With The Curve.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
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