‘We Own the Night’s’ Actors Deliver Solid Performances
Although most of the films in competition this year are typically non-Hollywood, James Gray’s “We Own the Night” comes closest to the traditional crime-genre film that most audiences are familiar with. With an all-star cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes and Robert Duvall, you would think that audiences might have appreciated it. But after its initial press screening, there were quite a few boos.
In the film, director James Gray weaves together a strong character-driven tale of revenge and redemption in 1980s Brooklyn. Bobby Green (Phoenix) is a night-club owner who is soon caught in between his loyalty toward family and his Polish employer, whose mafia nephew Vadim is running drugs out of the club. Unknown to Vadim, Bobby Green is actually Bobby Grusinky — the son of Burt Grusinky (Duvall) and brother of Joseph Grusinky (Walhberg) — two police officers in the New York Police Department. But unlike them, Bobby has rejected his law-enforcement roots and chooses to live a lifestyle of drugs, partying and drinking with his girlfriend Amada (Mendes). Although Bobby’s brother and father dislike the choices that he makes, they have no choice but to accept them.
Tragically, Bobby is forced to take sides when the Polish mafia targets one of his family members. Vadim eventually learns of Bobby’s connection to his law-enforcement family, and the rest of the movie deals with Bobby and his slow transformation from a selfish night-club owner to a full-fledged police officer in the NYPD.
Although I don’t want to give away the plot details, there is a thrilling car chase in the middle of the film that makes the movie worth watching, and the actors all are on their game throughout the film. Phoenix’s performance as Bobby is terrific, although his transformation into a cop is a bit too quick and unbelievable. Walhberg delivers a solid performance, fresh off his “Departed” buzz, but the top honors go to Duvall, who once again shows why he is a great actor.
“We Own the Night” got booed likely because it was too Hollywood and formulaic for international critics. However, the film is griping, entertaining and is a character study of Phoenix’s Bobby. It didn’t have a nice, neat and predictable ending, and I respected that. Although the film probably won’t win the Palm d’Or, but it has the potential to do well at the box office.
P.S. Watch the international trailer, linked here and below.
3.5 stars
***
Wayne’s star system
1 star –> avoid at all costs
2 stars –> watch on TV when nothing else is on
3 stars –> rent it eventually
4 stars –> must see before you die
“We Own the Night” (IMDB)
“We Own the Night” (Movie Trailer)
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