by brenton crozier
B+ Rated R 117 min.
Calling We Own the Night gritty would make me Captain Obvious, so for the sake of brevity, you can call me the ol’ CO. The movie is about a New York City family that is steeped in police tradition, except for Bobby (Joaquin Phoenix) who evades his father’s footsteps to be the manager of Brooklyn’s hottest nightclub. Bobby’s father Burt (Robert Duvall) is a police chief and his brother Joseph (Mark Wahlberg) is the newly crowned captain of the drug squad. And now let life paths collide!
Bobby’s club is owned and frequented by the very Russian drug pushers that Joseph is going after. From this point, violence ensues, although never gratuitous (and at some valleys in the story, you are kind of hoping that someone will pull out a gun). Bobby also has to deal with the challenges of preserving a relationship with his girlfriend Amada (Eva Mendes) throughout the guns, death and shifting loyalties.
This is certainly a straightforward story and is for the most part, well told. The writer and director James Gray (Little Odessa and The Yards), seems to have an affinity for all that is Russian, but avoids common cliché pitfalls that could have made this film convoluted. Although the characters are simple and you get it from the start, there is some lack of development, mostly with the auxiliary players.
There was a fantastic bleakness to the look of the movie that did well in highlighting the sheer savagery that took place. Although We Own the Night wasn’t a gigantic cops versus gang shoot em’ up battle for the streets, it felt realistic and painted a stirring picture of the price that everyone pays for their choices. In fact, it was a pervading theme of parallels and the consequences that both sides of the law must pay in order to achieve their goals, redeem their pride or get revenge.
The parallels start right out of the gate when there is a fantastic wide angle shot of Bobby’s club from the balcony. It’s not exactly the hedonistic utopia portrayed in Studio 54, but it’s a packed dance floor with glitz, beautiful women, abundant alcoholic beverages and loud, catchy dance music. The story segues to a police celebration honoring Bobby’s father and brother. This party takes place in a neighborhood church, is packed with families, features bountiful bowls of punch and I believe I saw some cookies.
The expected animosity exists between Bobby and Burt and Joseph, but in true prodigal son style, transforms throughout the story. This isn’t the action packed, super bloody, lock and load sequence packed film that I expected, but it was an interesting look into the real side of the consequences of choosing a lifestyle. The acting was fantastic. Joaquin Phoenix was the standout and continues to show why he is one of the most versatile and solid performers in Hollywood.
The movie lacked a consistent tempo and seemed to be weighed down by exploring each of Bobby’s individual relationships. In fact, it was paced very similarly to Heat, but was approximately one hour shorter. The camerawork was solid and did a great job of putting you into the situation being played out. With the exception of some sporadic flashiness, the movie felt like it was made with an old school cop thriller template and placed in the late 80s.
If you enjoy a good cop movie with solid acting, fantastic shots of New York City and the occasional sultry scene with Eva Mendes doing her better work, than you will certainly enjoy We Own the Night.
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
