We Own The Night
Set in the 80’s in Brooklyn,New York We Own The Night tells the story of a fractured family comprising of Police Chief Albert Grusinsky (Robert Duvall), his pride and joy, his older son, Joseph Grusinsky (Mark Wahlberg) who follows his father’s footsteps and the wayward son, Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix), a nightclub owner.
Frequenting Bobby’s club is Russian drug dealer Vadim Nezhinski (Alex Veadov) whom the police department is desperate to capture. Though warned by Joseph, Bobby tired of constantly playing second fiddle to his elder brother continues to allow Nezhinski to the club.
One night the club is raided and Nezhinski’s henchman and Bobby are arrested. And from then on all hell breaks loose.
In true blue mafia style Nezhinski swears revenge and has Joesph shot. Though constantly at odds with his brother Bobby feels compelled to help with the police investigation while his brother recovers from near death. He is largely successful in bringing in information that has Nezhinski running for cover and earns his father’s respect and love. But this also puts him in the life of fire and Bobby and his ever supporting girlfriend, Amada (Eva Mendes) are forced to go under police protection.
Back from the hospital Joesph finds his brother in the limelight and feels shunted out. Everyone has their hands full a mole on the loose and Nezhinski constantly one step ahead of them. During a hotel shift Bobby and his team are attacked n his father dies trying to protect him.
Devastated, Bobby swears to avenge his father’s death and bring Nezhinski in at all costs.
The story is no great shakes. Might have seen the same a zillion times before. Yet, We Own The Night is a compelling watch with some revetting performances especially by Phoenix and Wahlberg.
The movie tends to get sluggish though and could have done with some tighter editing. The chase sequence when Bobby is attacked is uniquely shot.
Nothing new. But a good dvd watch this one if you have the time.