• Another shockingly underrated film from Gray- I hate to admit it but the French (who adore Gray) are certainly correct in anointing him as a major auteur even when the MC critics (59 score) misevaluate him
  • The cast is wonderful- Duvall is just one of the many nods at Coppola and the Godfather again from Gray
  • The film’s narrative is really like a reverse version of the godfather – instead of Pacino, who is straight, getting pulled into the family business of crime—Phoenix plays the sketchy night-club guy who gets pulled into the family business – being a Cop. It’s shockingly similar
  • Another brighton beach/Brooklyn gray film
  • A film of alternative patriarchs – certainly Shakespearian
  • Gorgeous lighting and sumptuous set design
  • Amazing work from Phoenix- his bloated face from drug use and bloodshot eyes
  • Gray is indeed an uncompromising auteur- apparently the film was delayed years and cost much more money because he refused to shoot in Toronto instead of real locations
  • 50’s and 60’s music for the cop scenes and 80’s pop for the bad guys
  • One amazing set piece after another but the car chase is what many critics, even the ones here who underrate it, had to admire
  • Fantastic intro montage of black and white photos of cops
  • The finale- like the car chase- owes a lot to the French connection
  • Top 10 quality of the year film
  • Highly Recommend