WE OWN THE NIGHT

US, 2007, 118 minutes, Colour.
Mark Wahlberg, Joachin Phoenix, Robert Duvall, Eva Mendez.
Directed by James Gray.

James Gray has shown particular interest in Russian criminals in New York since his first feature, Little Odessa. It is 1988 and large deliveries of cocaine are being made and distributed in clubs. Joaquin Phoenix plays the fast and loose manager of Club Caribe in Brooklyn (owned by the Russians) while Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duvall play his police brother and father.

The opening credits have a collage of stills which reminds us of the police culture of New York and the range of criminals that they have been up against. The plot does not quite work out the way we would have expected although there are the usual investigations, undercover work and stakeouts. Gray seems more interested in the complicated family relationships as they are played out during the drug pursuit.

The clash between the brothers is very strong, a kind of Cain and Abel relationship which moves into something more like the parable of the Prodigal Son. Mark Wahlberg has established himself as a strong screen presence as has Joaquin Phoenix, who with Gladiator and Walk the Line shows he is capable of more versatility. They both appeared in James Gray’s previous crime thriller, The Yards.

The cast give solid performances with Eva Mendes as Phoenix’s Hispanic girlfriend who was after a good time but finds herself caught up in a witness protection program. There are some very nasty villains, once again the Russians who show how the Russian Mafia could develop in the US. Gray does have some car chases and shootouts but does not overdo them, contributing to a competent and interesting thriller.

1.An effective police thriller? Drug crime? Family? The title – and the motto of the New York police?

2.New York 1988-89, the settings, the atmosphere, police work and the reputation, the precincts, action, clubs and club life, the drug centres and dealers?

3.The credits, the photo, the tradition, the changes and the new atmosphere?

4.The nightclub, Caribe, the crowds, the music, the dancing, the drug exchange? Bobby and his management, his relationship with Amada? Jumbo and his presence? The boss, the family style? The plans for expansion, drugs, taking over Manhattan?

5.The Polish background, the Catholics, New York, police families, the church crowd, the honour for the father, the speeches, Bob and Amada coming, the father’s reaction, Joseph as the loyal son? The tensions, talk? The Russians and their takeover? Bobby and his refusal to collaborate? The clash at the party, his going?

6.Joseph, the relationship with his father, the strategy, in action? The relationship with Bobby, the event?

7.The past, the two brothers, the different paths in the family, family expectations, Bobby at the club, at home, the Russians not knowing who he was or about his family, his father and brother in the police?

8.Bobby, his name, style, collaboration with the Russians, the contacts, the types, with the dealers, his being accepted, the visits, yet his being controlled? Amada and her place with him?

9.Joseph and the raid, Bobby’s reaction, the confrontation, the vicious attack, Bobby and his change of heart? Joseph in the hospital? His father?

10.Bobby and the discussions, the police, the credibility of his agreement, going to the factory, being followed, the police, the raid, the arrests?

11.Neshinski, the Russians, the Mafia, tough, the owner and the respect in the family, the loyalties? Discussions, the truth, the revelation of cruelty?

12.Jumbo, his character, work, attitude, relationship to Amada, the reaction to being confined, the escape?

13.Custody, the effect on each, being confined? Jumbo, the pursuit, the car attack?

14.Bert, tradition, work, honour, tough, at home, expectations, Joseph at the hospital, Bobby in charge, his death?

15.Bobby, incorporated into the force, the information, Jumbo, Neshinski, the boss and his being exposed?

16.The confrontation, in the reeds, Neshinski, the smoke, Bobby and the shooting, the acclaim?

17.The work of New York police at the time, drugs, the Russians? The individuals, pressures, family, decisions?