21 BRIDGES
US, 2019, 99 minutes, Colour.
Chadwick Boseman, Siena Miller, J.K.Simmons, Taylor Kitsch, Stephan James, Keith David, Alexander Siddig.
Directed by Brian Kirk.
This is a very strong police drama which takes place overnight. And the 21 bridges? We are told that there are 21 bridges out of Manhattan to the other boroughs of New York City. Which means, that when criminals are on the loose in Manhattan, the 21 bridges need to be blocked to apprehend the fugitives.
The film opens with a funeral, a police officer killed in the line of duty, mourned by his widow and young son, African-Americans?. Setting the tone for the film, the priest is quite harsh in his interpretation of murder and God’s subsequent avenging mood.
The transition is instant, Andre Davis, the young son, has grown up, is an expert detective, has used guns in apprehending criminals, is being investigated by Internal Affairs, defending himself that he has not initiated any of the shootings which have resulted in deaths.
Which sets the situation for crime and detection quite briskly and strongly. In fact, the rest of the film which is investigation and pursuit, is also treated briskly and strongly.
The crime we are shown in some detail. Two Manhattan thugs (Taylor Kitsch, Stephan James) are commissioned to raid a store with a stash of drugs, discovering that there are far more containers than they were told, police suddenly and unexpectedly turning up and the men, desperate, in a spree of shooting, and many dead police.
Andre is sent in to take charge of the investigation, FBI agents intervene and he is given until 5 am, six hours, to bring in the suspects. Audience tension is increased by the continual indication of the times and time passing. The local commander of the precinct, J.K.Simmons, is tough and initially unresponsive to Andre. Another member of the precinct, Frankie Burns (Sienna Miller) is assigned to shadow Andre.
What makes the drama interesting is following Andre, his skills, shrewdness in evaluating information that comes in, following leads, interrogations, tracking down the two men. And, in the meantime, we are shown some detail about the two, learn their backgrounds in Manhattan as well as in Afghanistan, see the bonds between the two as well s the tensions (one is white, the other is African-American).
And, as with this kind of drama, there are desperate confrontations, Burns taken hostage, Andre bargaining. And, as also with this kind of drama, there is also a significant twist in who hired the two men in the first place.
Yes, we have seen many variations on this plot and themes – but, here is another which keeps our attention, is effectively paced, a worthwhile version of the themes.
Chadwick Boseman, who achieved international acknowledgement as Black Panther (and appearances in many of the Marvel action stories) but who has portrayed significant African-American? characters: sportsman Jackie Robinson (42), singer James Brown (Get On Up) and legal expert, Thurgood Marshall (Marshall), is solidly serious as Andre Davis. British actress, Sienna Miller, is Frankie Burns.
The director, Irish Brian Kirk, has credible credentials directing episodes of Luther, Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones.
Solid police action drama.
1. The title? The 21 bridges out of Manhattan?
2. The city, locations, police precincts, the drug robbery? The streets? Central information? Clubs, apartments, locations for confrontation? The musical score?
3. Police drama, criminals, authority, local police, the FBI? Investigation?
4. The action taking place overnight? Indications of time passing? Tension? The 5 o’clock deadline?
5. The African- American experience? The detective, his father, skills, detection? The opening with the funeral, the little boy, his mother, the dead father, the tribute, the severity of the priest, the image of the avenging God?
6. Internal affairs, Andre and the questions, his reputation, shooting, response rather than initiation? His reputation around the city?
7. The crime, Ray and Mike, arriving, going into action, the guard, the weapons, the drug stash, more than anticipated, their taking the drugs? The arrival of the police, the number of police, the deadly shootouts, their escape? The car crashed?
8. Andre in charge, his jurisdiction, the FBI agents, the time limit? Precinct commander, hostile attitude towards Andre, the death of his men? Reluctant agreement? (And the perspective when the twists were revealed?).
9. Frankie Burns, assigned to Andre, her background, child, the phone, role as an officer?
10. Andre. skill in detection, following leads, the crash of the car, trapped on Manhattan with the lockdown, images, the control at the central information? Continually verifying information, phone contact? Going to clubs, the girlfriend, going to homes, getting further information? Motivations?
11. The men, the contact, puzzling about who hired them? About the police arrival? Going to the authority, the money, the advice for the money laundering? Visiting him, his elegant style? The shooters at the door, the injury to his eye?
12. Ray and his character, the background, Mike’s brother, Afghanistan, protection? Life in the neighbourhood? Mike, the younger brother, stepping into his brother’s shoes? On the run, the cars, the chase, the being caught, shootouts, Ray and his death?
13. Mike, character, being pursued, Andre catching up to him, his holding the gun on Frankie Burns, her urging Andre to shoot?
14. The eventual discussions, Andre and his power of persuasion? Mike fleeing, the car, the hit? The appeal? The USB stick, is trying to find out information, looking, the 85th precinct? Andre getting the USB?
15. The twist, the role of the 85th precinct, the officer in charge, his explanations to Andre, the port payment, the men on the take, the right to a comfortable life?
16. Police corruption, the FBI, deaths? Andre the house, the confrontation with the leader, his attempt to shoot, his death? The truth about Burns, her arrival? Arrested?
17. Andre and his achievement, living for another day?
