Two cops patrol the streets of South Central Los Angeles and bring
on the wrath of the cartel when they make a high profile bust. ACTION/CRIME
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End of Watch (2012)Written and Directed by David Ayer
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, Frank Grillo, David Harbour, America Ferrera |
End of Watch is a brilliant film and one of the best examples of a handheld-style mockumentary. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña have impeccable chemistry, so much so that you truly believe they've been partners on patrol for years. I'd go so far as to say that End of Watch is easily David Ayer's masterpiece. The handheld camera style ups the tension to eleven, bringing the audience into the action and hyping up the emotion so that you feel every shot fired could be their last. The story is simple but effective, the characters are written perfectly, and the action is so intense that it's scary at times.
Officers Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and Zavala (Peña) are partners and best friends. Taylor is making a documentary for his college film class, so he films their day-to-day. They crack jokes, drive around, and stumble onto extremely high profile drug busts and murder victims. When they bust a cartel member, they're warned by the feds that the cartel will be after them, and holy shit, are they ever. You're treated to a lot of footage of Taylor and Zavala just hanging out with their wives and shooting the shit, which makes them so likable and relatable. Basically, it's preparing you for a serious gut punch when the cartel shows up to put them down. I found End of Watch to be an insanely good movie. The two leads are just a joy to watch together. I found myself laughing at half the shit they say, most of which was improvised on the fly. But when the shit goes down, they're also the city's best cops. They react appropriately and only fire as a last resort. Makes me wish police stations around the country would use this film as an example of good conduct. Maybe there'd be less innocent and unncessary death. But I digress. The film is great and a must-see. |