Review of We Own the Night (2007) by Chris W — 16 Aug 2010

This is a pretty solid and entertaining cop/crime drama. It may not be wholly original, or have any surprising plot twists, but ya know what, straight-forward no bullshit storytelling is passable when there's a lot of strong points even if nothing groundbreaking or a brilliant masterpiece.

I liked that it was a period piece, but it was subtl making it seem timeless and not dated. I loved the location chooting, and the strive for realism with story, content, sets, props, etc, as well the realism with the violence and its impact.

I have not seen any other film James Gray has done, but I like his style (or at least the style here if it differs from the rest of his stuff). The writing is serviceable, even better than half way decent, but not mind blowing. The direction is also pretty tight and strong as well. The movie overall may not be wholly innovative or unique, but I liked the car chase. If anything in this film stands out as not formulaic, it would be that.

While I know it's popular to rag on Eva Mendeas because her looks outweigh her acting skills (which are a hair above mediocre at best), she is at least trying, is making an effort to get better, and I respect that she's at least in a variety of different types fo films. Of the main players, she is the weakest, but she's not just a prop either. She's does her best given the limits of the role/character, but she has a couple of scenes that I thought were pretty good. Maybe she just stands out because she's having to act against two Oscar nominess and a multiple Oscar nominee and winner.

Next to the realism and the solidness of material, the acting is what this film excells at. Phoenix is quite good, and wisely underplays the some of the more emotional and famailar plot points. The character change is handled well, and he seems believable given what his chaaracter has to deal with. Wahlberg is also quite good, appearing far more restrained than he did in The Departed. Sometimes I forget that acting what not his original profession. And of course, Duvall is terrific as usual, and things don't feel as familiar as they probably could have been (and would be in less capable/talented hands.

None of this is particularly fresh, but it doesn't feel that way, which is high praise and the true success of this film. B+.