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Written by: David Ayer
Directed by: David Ayer
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, David Harbour, Frank Grillo, America Ferrera
Rated: R
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Plot
Shot documentary-style, this follows the daily grind of two young police officers in LA who are partners and close friends.
Verdict
It's the days in the lives of two police officers, and the documentary style lends it a sense of realism initially that soon becomes hyper realistic. These two cops seem to be at the center of every big thing happening in the city. The calls they encounter and what we see, are all intense. Each presents a unique danger and that crescendos towards the end. It's not a necessarily fun watch due to the fear and tension inherent in the job, but it is gripping. That's in part due to the camaraderie between the officers that jumps off the screen.
Watch It.
Review
Ayer was the writer for Training Day (2001) and The Fast and the Furious (2001).
This starts with a voice over about the law, police, and the inherent dangers in being the thin blue line between good and bad as we watch a chase through a police dash camera that ends in a pit maneuver and then shootout. This is shot documentary style with Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) recording his days as part of an art elective while studying pre-law.
Brian and his partner Mike Zavala (Michael Peña) are regarded as cowboys, and we soon see why when a suspect challenges Mike to a fight with Mike agreeing and removing his badge.
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| Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña play Brian Taylor, Mike Zavala |
This shows what it's like being a cop. They're called to a missing children case where it's a couple on drugs that forgot they locked the kids in the closet. In between calls Brian and Mike talk about life, their girlfriends, and the future. They're in the middle of it every day, though I do wonder if they'd really have this kind of reach and influence. I don't think what happens on the job is exaggerated, but I'm not sure all of these events would happen to these two cops. They seem to be involved in every big case. While watching local gangster Big Evil's mom, they follow a truck and discover concealed guns and money. Even the police captain recognizes them for the bust. Then they're called to a house fire where they rescue several children and are awarded the Medal of Valor.
Amidst the violence of their beat, Mike has his first kid and Brian gets married.
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| Jake Gyllenhaal, Anna Kendrick play Brian, Janet Taylor |
They inadvertently stumble upon a huge narcotics bust which draws the ire of the cartel. They're green lit for assassination, though they dismiss it. Soon they're led into a trap that's mean to be their execution. Brian and Mike end up trapped in an apartment complex facing multiple armed threats. It doesn't look like there's any way out. We've seen how violent being a cop in this city can be. They're on the run, and it's intense. The first person perspective only adds to the tension. They're running, waiting for backup, and everything seem like a threat.
It's well made, but it's not enjoyable as it makes the dangers of being a police officer palpable. The victories are tempered by the dangers. While Brian and Mike are quick to risk their lives both to save and protect, seeing their wives serves to indicate how many people worry about them every day.
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| Title Card |
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