End of Watch
Young L.A.P.D. Officers Brian and Mike (Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena) are partners on patrol and best friends off beat. Whilst navigating and protecting the wilds of the city the two accidentally stumble into several operations of a Mexican cartel. Meanwhile, the two also happen to be going through major life changes at home with wives Gabby and Janet (Natalie Martinez and Anna Kendrick), marriage, kids, the list goes on. As pressure mounts on the job, the strength of family and community is pulling for Brian and Mike, but will it be strong enough to keep the two alive when the cartel marks them for death?
Hands down some of the best writing and character development and seriously strong acting from all involved. Writer/Director David Ayer has successfully created real, believable, three dimensional characters that we as an audience can actually become invested in. The rub? The basis of the film is assembled in a found footage/documentary style, but the shots aren’t always consistent or even really from the perspective of the cameras we’re supposed to believe we’re seeing. So, it’s selective found footage which can pull you out of the narrative if you think about it too hard; a minor beef considering the strength of the rest of the parts. Mind you, this will get grizzly, but it’s worth it. End of Watch is rated R.