We Own the Night

Directed by: James Gray
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Alex Veadov
Running Time: 1h 57min

We Own the Night is a rather traditional cop/crook drama, with a nice family twist to it all. Phoenix plays one of Duvall's sons, the prodigal one that got into the fast life of party scenes, drugs and nightclubs. He feels equally at home with the scene's elder statesmen and is as much a part of their family than he is his own. Wahlberg plays his brother, who follows their father's footsteps in the police department, making Phoenix's lifestyle seem like a blight on the family.

When the squeeze comes down on the nightclub revelers, it puts all family members in a compromisable position. Loyalties are questioned, tested and betrayed and well played by the cast. Phoenix and Wahlberg can play explosive with ease, but their ability to play tenderness as well makes this film rise above its obviousness. Mendes also gets to play more than eye candy, but is better at conveying deliciousness than seriousness. Duvall is his usual good self.

Another factor that puts this film above the regular cop fare is how the director plays with sound and perspective during the action scenes. The usual shootouts have stylistic flavour, opting for a realistic POV of one character over the typical gunfire. By blocking out sound or forcing the camera to take a disoriented perspective, it makes the action seem more real, which really ups the consequences and ramifications the violence has on the family at the centre of the action. Without this interesting directorial take and the solid acting, We Own the Night would be very run of the mill, a Goodfellas wannabe. However, it makes a place for itself in the cop genre and is worth a rental.

Grade: B-