Triple-Feature Part II: We Own the Night

We Own the Night
Directed by James Gray
Released October 12, 2007

This crime drama seems to think it is this year's "The Departed", but it is way off. Hardly anything actually happens in this movie, and it moves far too quickly without developing any of its characters. Usually excellent Joaquin Phoenix gives a lazy performance that begs the constant request of "speak up! I can't hear you!" Mark Wahlberg has no material with which to work, and he is far too often sidelined in favor of the other actors. Robert Duvall is a new victim of typecasting who, similarly to Jon Voight, now gets roles as the token old, respected guy who has hardly anything to do in the film. Eva Mendes, to her credit, does a decent job with a subpar role. Besides the actors, there is little substance to the film. All in all, it is one entirely missable experience which will hopefully get viewers excited for the film that really should be this year's "The Departed" - "American Gangster".

C-