Jake Gylenhaal and Michael Pena team
up to clean up the streets of South Central LA in the action-drama, END OF
WATCH.
Gylenhaal and Pena are Brian Taylor and Mike Zavala, LAPD
officers who man one of several beats on the streets of South Central Los
Angeles. Although their daily routine is no walk in the park, it becomes
even more dangerous when the two discover that a drug cartel is operating out
of their precinct.
The cartel is not just trafficking drugs, but people
too.
Writer-director David Ayer seems enamored with the life of law
enforcement officers. With screenwriting credits including TRAINING DAY,
S.W.A.T, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS and HARSH TIMES, END OF WATCH would appear to
be another revved up action thriller full of bullets, bloodshed and
mayhem. Although it does feature all of the above, sometimes to dizzying
effect, the focus is on the men behind the badge, their willingness to serve
and their fragility as human beings.
From the outset, a voice over from
Taylor informs us that he is no different than anyone else, but that it’s his
purpose to protect and serve, and that’s exactly what he’ll do. We see
all of this through their actions, interactions and encounters with criminals,
their fellow officers and also in their personal life. These moments
allow Taylor and Zavala to become well-rounded characters, ones which are
deeply flawed, completely benevolent and ultimately heroic.
The film
works best when it meanders, following these two in their patrol car, allowing
them to ramble about their fears, aspirations and loved ones. As cops in
South Central, fear and danger is always lurking around the corner, and Ayer
understands this. The nearly plot-less picture succeeds in large part due
to this fact, as it understands the rhythms of patrolling officers and soaks
every last bit of entertainment out of their daily grind.
Gylenhaal and
Pena find an on-screen chemistry that’s rare amongst actors. These two
never upstage one another, but find that sharing the limelight is mutually
beneficial. Their us versus all mentality, whether it’s the force or the
criminals, serves their friendship and patrol well.
END OF WATCH is an
invigorating slice of life action-drama that I highly recommend.
Grade: B+
No comments:
Post a Comment