Rampart

Los Angeles, 1999: A city that is in a cycle of gangs, drugs, and corruption perpetuated by one person, a member of the LAPD. Dave Brown (Woody Harrelson) is a dirty cop; no if's, and's, or but's about it. When he is not using the 4th Amendment as toilet paper when he's getting information on a drug ring, he's using his baton like one of the cane-swinging Droogs from A Clockwork Orange. After being videotaped beating up a black driver who crashed into his cruiser, Brown faces racial discrimination accusations and abusing his power leading him into a downward spiral of endless booze and sex. His saving graces are his ex-wives (Anne Heche and Cynthia Nixon) and his two daughters as he tries to redeem himself for those he has isolated from. Brown's attempts of being a loyal semi-father figure are tested by his rebellious daughter (Brie Larson) who keeps pushing him away into obscurity.

Oren Moverman is no stranger to looking at the rough exterior and soft center of men in positions of power; such as the case in his 2009 emotional powerhouse, The Messenger. In Rampart, he continues leading us to look at the rough edges obscuring a soft interior with a script co-crafted by James Ellroy. Ellroy's jazz-like prose from his novels (American Tablod, L.A. Confidential) is present on screen, as well as his look at the gritty and hedonistic underbelly of Los Angeles. However, the dialogue begins to get preachy when the issues of due process and excessive force are as repetitious as if one is reviewing the Rodney King footage. As predictable as the content is, whether or not you have seen Dirty Harry or Serpico, it is difficult not to be absorbed into a turbulent look at law and order.

What keeps the film from running on empty is Woody Harrelson, as he gives one of the best performances of his career by combining the seductive charm and violent streak he displayed in Natural Born Killers with the emotional depth exemplified in The Messenger. His performance as Dave Brown and his descent into hell is as powerful as Nicholas Cage's Ben Sanderson in Leaving Las Vegas and as equally as corrupt as Denzel Washington's Alonzo Harris in Training Day. Adding to the fiery mix of Brown's warped life is Robin Wright as a lawyer and Brown's bedfellow as she is swayed by his charm, while she adds emotional desire to her soulless lover.

When all is said and done, you are uncertain to pity Harrelson or damn him for his actions as he proclaims in a climatic pool scene, "I'm just a Cop! An expendable soldier!" In an environment where trust is null and void and justice is blind, how is one to protect and serve a city when they cannot protect and serve their life?

3 out 0f 4 Stars