We Own the Night
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Movie Reviews of We Own the Night
Movie Review: Excellent Cast, Routine Plot...
Summary: 3 Stars
James Gray's 1980s paean of a NYC family of cops vs. the Russian mob, "We Own the Night" refreshingly doesn't portray policemen as crooked or amoral, but, despite the star power involved, never achieves greatness, either. Sadly, the plot is predictable, and the climax, contrived.
This is not to say the film hasn't merit; Joaquin Phoenix, as the 'black sheep' son who dabbles in 'the dark side' before becoming an 'avenging angel' cop, is superb, as is Eva Mendes, who, for once, is allowed to show more depth than her usual 'window dressing' roles. Robert Duvall demonstrates a restraint in his 'father' role that has been missing in most of his recent work, losing the Southern twang for the crisp diction reminiscent of his earlier films. Surprisingly, Mark Wahlberg, in a more 'straight arrow' variation of his character in "The Departed", has little to do, and is completely upstaged by the flashier Phoenix, as well as by his Russian counterparts, the kindly father figure with a secret life (Moni Moshonov), and his ruthless drug lord nephew (Alex Veadov).
The film starts promisingly, with a flashy vision of Manhattan club life of the late 80s, run by the Russians, who are taking control of drug trafficking, and hold the NYPD in contempt and disregard, juxtaposed against the simpler, traditional world of New York's Finest, celebrating achievement, duty, and service to others. Phoenix, as the 'adopted' son of the Russians, and the actual son of a cop, is at the nexus of what might have been great drama, as he straddles both worlds. Yet when the film's first major climax occurs, the opportunity is lost, as he makes a decision that channels the film along a predictable path that offers few surprises.
Still entertaining, but far less than it might have been, "We Own the Night" is a good film that could have been great...
Movie Review: Falls off a cliff in the 2nd half
Summary: 2 Stars
For the first half of the movie, I found it to be quite good. Up to that point it had a good story, good characters and fine acting. Then, after the pivotal scene of the movie, the story looks like it's written by a couple of high school drop outs. It's really amazing how dramatic the fall off is. At that point it is so bad, I still was able to enjoy it a bit because I could laugh at from that point on.
Movie Review: Star studded, but slow
Summary: 2 Stars
Although Robert Duvall gives his requisite on target performance and Eva Mendes is as always soft on the eyes this movie is a bit slow. It's as if we started the movie in the middle of the characters lives; consequently, you feel as if you needed the back story. For instance, why did the brothers dislike one another so much? Which son did the father identify with and why? At the very least, these questions needed to be asked and answered before establishing the central plot. And if you can get past that the movie's not so bad. Movie Review: Good Rental Movie
Summary: 3 Stars
I wouldn't buy this movie. But for the $1.49 rental fee, I enjoyed it. I agree with some of the other reviews in that the actors didn't get enough of a chance to show off their talent. Overall it was decent.Movie Review: Um...
Summary: 3 Stars
So I really wanted to like this movie, but in the end I thought it was just okay. The acting was okay, but it could have been done (especially with these actors) a lot better. I don't want to give any of the movie away, it could have been a fantastic movie, but in the end it was just so-so.