This is not your typical action cop film. It's a dark, moody character/dialogue driven cop drama. There is action, but not until it all comes together at the conclusion. Basically, it involves three cops and a ( sort of ) charismatic drug dealer, played by a Wesley Snipes we haven't seen in a long, long time. The cops are Richard Gere as a patrolman, days away from retirement, who has seen it all and has to find a reason not to blow his brains out every morning. Then there is Don Cheadle as an undercover cop who has been out there so long that the line between good and evil, and the real picture of just what his job really is, has all but disappeared. And there is Ethan Hawke from narcotics who is deperately trying to find a way to get his pregnant wife and two kids out of an unhealthy environment, and the way just happens to be all that drug money floating around after a raid. None of these NY cops know each other, but destiny will bring them all together in an explosives conclusion.
Antoine Fuqua ( I loved Training Day ) directs and throws every cop drama cliche you can think of at you, but yet it doesn't seem like you've seen them before. That's artistic talent and that's why I liked this film. But I know it will not be everyone's cup of tea. It's heavy on dialogue, and you really have to turn up the volume to hear the whispers at times. And it's just all about character, so things move slowly. But when it all finally comes together, it makes the wait worthwhile. And the acting is great. Even Snipes, in this small role, shows the acting chops he always had but rarely used.
Maybe not your cup of tea, but definitely mine. :T
Antoine Fuqua ( I loved Training Day ) directs and throws every cop drama cliche you can think of at you, but yet it doesn't seem like you've seen them before. That's artistic talent and that's why I liked this film. But I know it will not be everyone's cup of tea. It's heavy on dialogue, and you really have to turn up the volume to hear the whispers at times. And it's just all about character, so things move slowly. But when it all finally comes together, it makes the wait worthwhile. And the acting is great. Even Snipes, in this small role, shows the acting chops he always had but rarely used.
Maybe not your cup of tea, but definitely mine. :T
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