Thursday, September 16, 2010

Mixed Reviews Brookylns Finest Hasn't Diminished Interest

By Gabriel Bush

Brookylns Finest was released March 2010, but has become a fan favorite due to its all-star cast, intriguing story line, and direction by Antoine Fugua. The story is based on the personal experiences of writer Michael C. Martin which focuses on the violent and rough neighborhoods watched over by the 65th precinct of the New York Police Department. The story unfolds as three veteran police officers survive the daily demands of life on the streets only to wind up together on a single night in the Van Dyke Housing Projects in Brooklyn.

Stars Richard Gere, Wesley Snipes, Ethan Hawke, Lili Taylor, Ellen Barkin, Jesse Williams, and Don Cheadle lead the cast through the trials and tribulations of daily life on the streets. Ethan Hawke (playing Detective Salvatore "Sal" Procida), Richard Gere (playing Officer Eddie Dugan), and Don Cheadle (playing Detective Clarence "Tango" Butler) work as the three principle police officers who must survive nightly terrors while attempting to curb the area's drug trade.

Filmed predominately in New York, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn the film takes viewers on a wild ride through the eyes of police officers who often see the worst part of life on a daily basis. To draw viewers in many action-packed sequences have been interwoven into the story. For example, the opening scene shows two men are having a conversation while in a parked car when one is shot in the face. The deceased is then robbed and the killer takes off. It later turns out the killer is actually a police officer in the film who has myriad problems in his personal life.

The complexities of personal lives are revealed throughout the movie which helps viewers understand how Brooklyn's finest often walk a very thin line between right and wrong. Whether desperate for money, close to retirement, or tired of working undercover, the decisions they make are ultimately affected by the difficulties faced in their personal lives. The story climaxes when the three key Officers, who have developed their characters while on extremely different career paths, end up in the same, deadly setting at the same time.

Michale Martin grew up in the Brooklyn area where the story is based. Therefore, much of what is seen in the film is a direct reflection of personal experiences. This provides viewers with the "reality" aspect so popular today. Although the movie was made on a modest budget, the star-quality cast agreed to lesser pay in order to see it completed as it carries an important message about the challenges police officers working in this are face.

The film was first viewed at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009 as well as the Venice Film Festival later that year before it was picked up by Overture Films for circulation. It has been met with mixed reviews by critics and audiences alike, so far, but has been praised for the acting and character development of individual cast members. Critic reviews brought the value of the film into question, but audiences throughout the world seem to disagree.

However, as with all critics they do not take into account the personal tastes of mass audiences. Coming in at #11 in the all-time "Dirty Cop Movie" category (based on releases from 1973 to the present), this film saw $13 million in profits in its first week coming in at #2 behind Alice in Wonderland. During its theater run it gross over $27 million dollars and once released internally earned an addition #34 million.

For those wanting to see what all the hype is about and why it's #1 in DVD sales, it should be noted that Brookylns Finest is rated R because of drug content, violence, nudity, and sexual overtones. Despite what the critics have said it is a fast-paced, action-packed, thrill ride that will satisfy even the most discerning tastes for a real life drama. - 40723

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