END OF WATCH
US, 2012, 109 minutes, Colour.
Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, David Harbour, Frank Grillo, America Ferrera.
Directed by David Ayer.
End of Watch begins with the car chase and the shootout. However, there is an even stronger chase and violent shootout at the end. In between, we are shown the day by day work of two Los Angeles cops, as well as glimpses of their personal life and relationships. This is the kind of thing that was very popular in films of the 1970s (with such titles as Supercops) and on television shows like Starsky and Hutch and, more seriously, Hill Street Blues. Then came the reality TV shows like Cops. End of Watch relies on fans’ experience, and liking, of these films and television programs.
One of the differences is that much of End of Watch is filmed as home/work movie, cameras recording people and events in close-up, some of it on mini-recorders on lapels, much of it with handheld cameras. (This can have some giddying consequences on audiences who prefer few wobbles and twists in what they watch.)
Otherwise this is familiar material, harsh situations, danger, killing, drugs, as well as the more routine patrols of the LA streets. However, this is South Central, Hispanic families (and dealers and killers) moving in on what was once African American territory. These culture clashes are to the fore. As is the multi-cultural make-up of the force itself.
We follow Brian and Mike, their good fellowship and banter, their discussions about all kinds of things, their going into action and the interaction of white and Hispanic. Mike is married, Brian about to be (with Anna Kendrick and Natalie Martinez as the wives). Brian is filming for one of his course projects which gives some reason for the visual style of the film.
Jake Gyllenhaal is always reliable and makes Brian convincing. Michael Pena appears in many films but this one gives him a chance to make a stronger impact.
Needless to say, with the cops but, especially with the criminals, much of the dialogue is monotonously four letter worded but, just when you might feel it is too much, the film comes up for air.
End of Watch is dedicated to the police forces in LA who collaborated with the film-making. The film is sometimes a grim reminder of the risks that the dedicated police are exposed to and take.
1. The title? The police and their work? In Los Angeles, south-central? The demands of each police watch?
2. Los Angeles, the city, the streets, the gangs, homes? The background of the police and their lives compared with the background of the gangsters and the wars? The precincts? The musical score?
3. The documentary style, handheld camera, immersing the audience in the action, with the characters?
4. Audiences and police stories, the watches, the procedures, partners in their work together, the background of families, being with them day-by-day?
5. South-central, Brian Taylor and his work, the marine’s background, the type, enterprising, forward? His personal life, the encounter with Janet, the bonding together, the dates, the buildup to their wedding?
6. His partner, Miguel Zavalos, the Hispanic background, his wife, pregnant, family?
7. The narrative built up from episodes? The various gangs, Bloods, the violence, Tre and their treatment of him, a certain bonding, information? The racial backgrounds of the gains, the fights and shootings? The impact of the gang, Surenos, the drive-by shootings? Big Evil and his impact? The discovery of the trucks, filled with guns…?
8. The rescue of the family, the fire? The ceremony of awards? The background of cartels, human traffic?
9. The difficulties, calls for action, the knife in the eye?
10. The old woman, her house, the drugs and corpses? The connections, the gangs, Tre and his warning?
11. The pair and some gung-ho attitudes, the car chase, the ambush, Tre being shot?
12. Taylor, his being wounded, Miguel shielding him, his death? The rescue?
13. The impact of the funeral, Miguel and his death, his pregnant wife, her future? Brian, his presence, Janet?
14. The contribution of End of Watch to understanding police work and appreciation, especially in difficult circumstances in south-central Los
Angeles?
