From writer/director/producer David Ayer (“Harsh Times”) comes the heaviest crime film he has created yet. “End of Watch” peels back the curtain between what goes on in every day life and a normal day for cops in South Central Los Angeles. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as two cops patrolling the streets in their police interceptor, we see first hand what its like to be a cop – even when the Cartel are involved.
The film is shot primarily on compact cameras that Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) carries around to shoot their every day lives. This gives it the feeling of one of those “found footage” films, being very jumpy and wild. It calms down after the first half hour or so, to where it isn’t as bad on the eyes. It also works a lot better than with other films because it puts the audience right in the middle of the action which adds a higher level of intensity.
Like “Training Day,” another film written by Ayer, this film relies heavily on the main characters driving around having entertaining dialogue. Gyllenhaal and Peña have a fantastic “bromance” of a relationship that is very believable and admirable – leading us to like them (making it scarier when they get into fire fights). The film shows the heart beneath the badge of police officers that many people may not have been aware of previously.
One aspect in particular about this film by David Ayer is that none of the cops are corrupt. It is an exhilarating and terrifying film without showing corrupted police officers with a nice balance of banter between partners. It focuses on the savage and animalistic nature of the Cartel and the dangers it gives the officers on a daily basis.
With help from Peña, Jake Gyllenhaal gives a possible Oscar nominated performance. “End of Watch” lands somewhere between “Training Day” and Ayer’s other films in caliber, not being as good as the former – but completely worth seeing. He is definitely a filmmaker to keep an eye on in the police, crime-drama category that he has contributed to so significantly.
“End of Watch” is now playing in theaters everywhere.
