End of Watch (2012)

This is not your typical police drama. It's so much better. End of Watch is a smart drama with just the right amount of comedic moments to lighten up the mood and break the tension. It's one of the best police films I've seen in a while and with good reason.

Shot in the style of a documentary, this film follows two best friends who just so happen to be partners on the police force. Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Pena) are more than just partners though, they are essentially each other's family. Taylor has been filming his police activities for a film project, hence the chosen style of filming. And nothing says fun film project like drugs, human trafficking  guns, and cartels right? I said earlier that this is not your typical police drama in that we see more into the personal lives of Taylor and Zavala, rather than having the movie focus solely on their roles in the LAPD. But don't worry, we still get our fair share of shoot outs.

Michael Pena and Jacke Gyllenhaal in End of Watch. Source: Hollywood Reporter

This movie is far from lacking in action. We're lucky to get action in the crime fighting sense, and also in the comedic banter sense, which is what I enjoyed most about the movie. The fact that director David Ayer was able to combine two ends of the spectrum so seamlessly can be considered genius as far as I'm concerned. Fair warning though, there is quite a bit of cursing in this movie, almost so much that it began to lose it's impact. In fact, I would notice more when a sentence didn't include a curse word.

For those who can get past the excessive swearing, you will uncover a creative, yet realistic, plot and the acting to back it up. The duo of Gyllenhaal and Pena command your attention and you can't help but cling to every word they say, making this movie so dynamic and exhilarating. Our two heroes overcome obstacles together that are life threatening and heart breaking, and you can tell that the characters, no matter how often they like to laugh and joke, really pour their heart and soul into their jobs.

Unlike most films these days, End of Watch manages wrap up in under 100 minutes without letting character development fall short. The connection between Taylor and Zavala is clearly the most important part of the story. The fact that they work for the LAPD is just another aspect of their lovable quirks. And the supporting characters only add to the story, which is almost a rare surprise in most movies. Gabby (Natalie Martinez) and Janet (Anna Kendrick) as Zavala and Taylor's wives bring out the best in their husbands.

This scintillating film about courage and friendship was put together brilliantly showcasing the acting abilities of Gyllenhaal and Pena. The way these two converse almost makes it seem like we, as viewers, are intruding into their personal lives. David Ayer has allowed the entire cast to shine in all their glory and his script ultimately allowed the actors to grow with their respective characters.

Rating: 8.5/10