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 Rated: R
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Robert Duvall, Alex Veadov
Directed by: James Gray
An all-star cast comes together with wonderful performances
in the taught crime drama We Own The Night. Lead by Joaquin Phoenix, the sordid tale from
a great script by writer/director James Gray, is certainly a contender for
Oscar nods. If you are up for an evening
of excellent acting, a moving plot or just a fan of the stellar cast, then this
film will fit the bill.
The
Grusinsky family has contributed a long list of Brooklyn law enforcement
officers and Deputy Chief Burt (Duval) and Officer Joseph (Wahlberg) are two of
its finest. However, one member of the
Grusinsky family has taken another road, changed his name to Bobby Green (Phoenix), and
become the manager of the Brooklyn El Caribe—one of the hottest nightclubs
in New York.
Bobby has climbed to the
top of his game, without realizing it’s run by the Russian Mafia. In the meantime, the Brooklyn precinct has
been getting a lot of pressure over a drug ring, and it’s chief suspect Alex
Veadov (Nezhinski) has been seen at the El Caribe.
A raid of the El Caribe is staged with dismal
results, which only irritates the Russian gangsters. When things go mortally wrong for the
Brooklyn Precinct, and choices have to be made, Bobby finds himself in a
dilemma between his family and his future.
I was
totally intrigued by this story, the actors who played it out, the direction and
cinematography. Although Joaquin was the
central player, both Duval and Mendes are the pillars of support needed to make
the film work.
Mendes delivers an
intense, yet devoted Amanda, who becomes Bobby’s lover and crutch. Changing from compassionate daughter, to
rebellious girlfriend, to fiery lover showed her remarkable depth as an
actress.
Duval throws himself into the
mix with his usual best performance as the highly honored Deputy Chief who has
to command a precinct under pressure.
From strength to frailty, his character controls the much-needed
emotional element that connects the three family members.
We Own
The Night contains a lot of violence and drug use. You may want to consider watching this film
with a mature group.
FINAL
ANALYSIS: An emotional, even-paced crime drama that has all the elements that
make it a winner.
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