End Of Watch * * * *
Director: David Ayer.
Screenplay: David Ayer.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, Frank Grillo, America Ferrera, David Harbour, Cody Horn, Maurice Compte, Diamonique.
David Ayer certainly seems to know his way around South Central Los Angeles: He delivered the screenplay to the Oscar winning “Training Day” in 2001 before making his directorial debut, four years later, with “Harsh Times“. The James Ellroy adaptation “Street Kings” followed, and with his latest being yet another foray into those crime-ridden L.A. ghettos this is confirmation of Ayer’s comfort zone.
L.A. cops Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Peña) routinely patrol the streets and neighbourhoods of South Central. These guys aren’t just partners but good friends and they both take their jobs very seriously. It’s the strong bond between them that allow them to effectively deal with life threatening situations every day. But through their absolute commitment to their work, they discover a violent drugs cartel that puts both their lives in danger.
Anyone familiar with the aforementioned films that Ayer has been involved in, will know that he has a propensity to focus a lot on the interplay of his characters; mainly this is done in the car, allowing the audience to get a closer proximity to the back and forth banter and camaraderie. Where this film differs though, is in the use of a found footage/steady-cam approach. This particular style may be wearing thin with a lot of people (myself included) but for the most part, it works here. Following a couple of cops on the beat adds another angle to the sub-genre that’s not been explored yet and taps into the voyeuristic nature of the reality tv shows that we’re bombarded with these days. I’ve never really been a fan of these neo-fascist, propaganda shows that depict the police carrying out their duties but sometimes they can be intriguing and many find them very appealing. However, Ayer is smart enough not to rely solely on this ‘reality’ approach; he intercuts it with wide-angles whenever the documentary vibe is unsuitable, which gives a good overall balance to the action. That being said, the film does suffer periodic lulls and falls prey to cliche with underwritten and stereotypical gangsters but it’s the rapport between Gyllenhaal and Peña that keep the film interesting and involving. Both deliver solid performances and their exchanges of dialogue are entirely believable and, at times, genuinely humorous.
The steady-cam now makes it’s way into the mainstream with some financial backing and familiar faces involved. It may irritate some but ultimately adds a sense of realism that’s required for the material. Once you accept the conceit, the rest is an intense, visceral and action filled movie.
Mark Walker
MARKED MOVIES 
December 1, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Yeah, pretty much my take and rating for this. The strength of the film are the partners center stage and the weakness the “stereotypical gangsters”. Good look at this one, Mark.
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December 1, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Thanks Michael. Gyllenhaal and Pena were excellent and the banter between them was definitely the highlight. It cuts corners with every other character but thankfully those two are so good, it makes it all worth while.
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December 1, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Great review! I heard a lot of good things about this movie, but the last few films about cops I’ve seen were disappointing, so I’m in no rush to see this one.
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December 1, 2012 at 4:08 pm
It’s actually pretty good Sati. If you’ve seen and enjoyed Ayer’s other films then you’ll like this. It’s possibly his best yet.
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December 1, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Interesting – I haven’t heard of this movie. I also haven’t seen any of this guys other films.
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December 1, 2012 at 6:09 pm
It’s worth checking out Misty. The two leads are superb and the shakey-cam routine works well for the most part. His other films are worth a watch as well. It’s been ages since I’ve seen it but I remember really liking Harsh Times with Christian Bale.
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December 1, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Saw this on Friday and really liked it, probably one of my favorites this year.
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December 3, 2012 at 2:31 pm
It was a lot better than I expected Nostra. Gyllehaal and Pena are what made it really work. They were both excellent.
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December 3, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Yeah, their relationship felt genuine.
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December 2, 2012 at 1:48 am
Nice take on it. You’re definitely right… its the back and forth between Gyllenhaal and Peña that’s the strong suit of this flick. Some of the other stuff goes WAY over the top. LOL. I liked it though. Decent watch.
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December 3, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Yeah, the bad guys were a bit over the top. I forget his name but it was something like Mr. Big Evil. For me he was your classic stereotype but other than the underwritten supporting characters, the film was well handled.
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December 2, 2012 at 4:08 am
This sounds really good, despite the flaws. I have this on my watchlist. Great review, Mark!
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December 3, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Thanks. Despite the flaws, it is well worth a watch. There are many exciting moments and the two leads are superb. Hope you like it.
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December 2, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Good review Mark. Not perfect, but the chemistry between Gyllenhaal and Pena is and that’s really what this flick is meant to be seen for. Everything else is just okay and generic.
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December 3, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Yeah, there is some generic stuff at play here Dan. I agree, but for the most part it was a gripping film. The rapport between Gyllenhaal and Pena is certainly the highlight.
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December 3, 2012 at 12:08 am
I know it’s not going to happen, but I’d love to see an oscar nod for one of the two leads here. With such still competition from films like Lincoln, The Master and Silver Linings Playbook though that’ll be tough to do. Good review 🙂
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December 3, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Thanks Andy. I doubt an Oscar nod will come for either of them but that doesn’t take away from the great work they put in. It’d be hard to separate them for an award as well I think. It’s more of double-act with each as good as the other.
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December 3, 2012 at 12:38 am
Great review, Mark. I’m seeing this one very soon 🙂 I’ve only heard good things about Gyllenhaal and Peña.
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December 3, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Thanks Fernando. The good things you’ve heard of them both are all true. Hope you it like man.
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December 3, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Thanks. I bet I will 🙂
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December 3, 2012 at 2:25 am
This does look pretty intense in the trailer. I’m curious about this once you said Ayer wrote “Training Day” even though I haven’t seen it yet. I’m not fond of Jake G though, but I’ve been impressed with some of the supporting roles Michael Peña did so I might rent this one. Great review Mark!
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December 3, 2012 at 2:42 pm
It’s definitely worth a look Ruth. Gyllenhaal is not always my cup of tea either but he’s great here and Pena is as reliable as ever.
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December 3, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Cool. I’ll probably watch this for Pena 🙂
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December 3, 2012 at 9:15 am
I’ve been looking forward to this and it’s yet another that my local cinema is shunning to cram in even more showings of Skyfall and Twilight. Nice write up!
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December 3, 2012 at 2:44 pm
I know what you mean trying to see stuff with Skyfall and Twilight on. A lot of good looking movies have been swept aside for them. Thankfully this is one that has survived in my local cinema. I hope you get a chance soon, it a good film.
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December 4, 2012 at 12:48 am
Sounds like my kind of movie. Blockbuster queue.
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December 4, 2012 at 10:30 pm
It’s definitely worth a look Russel. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. Hope you enjoy it.
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December 4, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Hi there! Great review.. totally agree that the gangsters were underwritten stereotypes but it is ALL about the banter between the cops! The wives get similarly neglected but that moment with Kendrick and Gyllenhaal singing in the car was awesome! And the soundtrack rocks!
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December 4, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Hey there! I couldn’t agree more with you. All characters were underwritten except for the two leads but that was enough. They both bounced off each other brilliantly. Thanks for stopping by and the recent follow as well. Much appreciated. 🙂
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December 6, 2012 at 5:15 pm
I have this one lined up to watch. Good write up, Mark.
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December 6, 2012 at 5:21 pm
It’s a good film Vic. Not without flaws but they are easy to overlook as the rapport between the leads is so good. Thanks man. Hope you enjoy it!
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December 6, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Just finished this today. Unreal.
Intense and reminiscent of ‘Colors’, perhaps a little more hardcore though. Great review.
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December 7, 2012 at 10:56 am
Thanks man. Totally agree on the comparison with Colors. This was a better effort I found though. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
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