Film Review: Gangster Squad
In the opening scenes of the 1997 film LA Confidential, the infamous gangster Mickey Cohen is taken down.
What follows is a tale of corruption and who tried to fill those very large shoes.
In this film, Mickey Cohen is at the height of his power, the city of Los Angeles is in his pocket, every level of society kowtows to him, Judges, the police, no one is willing to put their life, or their families lives on the line.
Of course, there is someone. Sgt. John O'Mara, portrayed by Josh Brolin, is a World War II veteran (like others on the force) and it is obvious from the get go that he is someone who won't be bought or shirk his duties.
Similarly minded police chief, portrayed by Nick Nolte, chooses the Sergeant to put together a team of other policemen, with one single task.
Take Mickey Cohen, and his operation down.
Without protection of their badges and all that that entails.
Its not in anyway easy, either the first, or the second. It is deeply rooted and there are teething problems for Mr Brolin and his crew, portrayed by Anthony Mackie, Ryan Gosling, Giovanni Ribisi, Robert Patrick and Michael Pena, all of whom are well in deep in the era and their characters. As is Emma Stone's character, Grace Faraday, who is Mickey's girl in the film. A position of great privilege and danger. It is a tricky line to walk.
The action in this film is nicely handled and all round it is an excellent story to tell.
Especially considering it is based on a true story.
What follows is a tale of corruption and who tried to fill those very large shoes.
In this film, Mickey Cohen is at the height of his power, the city of Los Angeles is in his pocket, every level of society kowtows to him, Judges, the police, no one is willing to put their life, or their families lives on the line.
Of course, there is someone. Sgt. John O'Mara, portrayed by Josh Brolin, is a World War II veteran (like others on the force) and it is obvious from the get go that he is someone who won't be bought or shirk his duties.
Similarly minded police chief, portrayed by Nick Nolte, chooses the Sergeant to put together a team of other policemen, with one single task.
Take Mickey Cohen, and his operation down.
Without protection of their badges and all that that entails.
Its not in anyway easy, either the first, or the second. It is deeply rooted and there are teething problems for Mr Brolin and his crew, portrayed by Anthony Mackie, Ryan Gosling, Giovanni Ribisi, Robert Patrick and Michael Pena, all of whom are well in deep in the era and their characters. As is Emma Stone's character, Grace Faraday, who is Mickey's girl in the film. A position of great privilege and danger. It is a tricky line to walk.
The action in this film is nicely handled and all round it is an excellent story to tell.
Especially considering it is based on a true story.
This one comes from another good action film that is also based on a true story:
ReplyDelete“McCann: He's dead. He's dead as Elvis!
Jake: You got him, man!
McCann: Stop the car. We gotta make sure Elvis has left the building.”