The first and last reason to archive the film (as I’m doing) is the performance of Denzel Washington
It’s commanding work—filled with overpowering charisma one minute and absolute acidity the next
It’s an over-the-top go-for-broke performance that works. He’s a cartoonish villain in the vein of DDL’s Bill the Butcher or something- it’s just not in a film that’s as good
He serves as the tour guide for the naïve and unworldly Ethan Hawke—buddy cop film and a little vet/rookie cop cliché dynamic
Love the reoccurring shot of Denzel looking in the rear view—clear narrative thread here as he’s looking out (as we’d come to find out over the course of the film)
The one day narrative dynamic, from sunrise to sunset (and beyond), gives the film a needed formal structure and adds to the immediacy of all the action
Manipulative and convincing—the epic performance culminates in the “King Kong” speech which is a marvel to watch. I’ve seen the film five times and every time that scene gets me. He’s spitting fire (and literal spit). Volcanic.
Dre’s music is a welcomed addition to the soundtrack of the film but not so much his acting- Snoop fares better in his small role
I think the ending death is a sure-fire nod to Penn’s 1967 Bonnie and Clyde
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