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Film Review: Dark Blue

© Kelcey Woolsten

Dark Blue is a controversial new film about the corrupt landscape of the Los Angeles Police Department before and during the Rodney King trials. While this is not new territory for film and television-there are similarities between this film and material such as "The Shield," Training Day, and L.A. ConfidentialDark Blue does offer another compelling view of the brutality, dishonesty, and pain that can hide behind the badge.

Dark Blue focuses on the underhanded dealings of a veteran cop, Eldon Perry, (Kurt Russell) and his rookie partner Bobby Keogh (Scott Speedman, "Felicity"), who are controlled by a corrupt boss, Jack Van Meter (Brendan Gleeson, Gangs of New York). On the flip side, the film shows the struggles of an Assistant Chief of Police Arthur Holland (Ving Rhames) who fights to establish integrity within the department, and the hardship encountered by taking such a stand. Dark Blue depicts a police department in which blackmail and lies are commonplace, where some criminals are brutally pursued and disposed of with no evidence, and some criminals are protected for personal interests. It is a world that can take a toll on all involved and we see the havoc it wreaks on the personal lives and emotional stability of the members of the force and their families.

While the story keeps the audience involved, the characters and the actors are what makes this film work. Scott Speedman gets a chance to move beyond his role on "Felicity," playing a cop dealing with the conflict between loyalty to his partner and boss, his own lack of courage, and his guilt over what he sees as inexcusable actions. Lolita Davidovich and Khandi Alexander also give standout supporting performances as the unhappy wives of Eldon Perry and Arthur Holland. Brendan Gleeson also gives a strong performance as the depraved, selfish, ruthless Van Meter.

However, it is Kurt Russell who elevates the film from TV movie of the week material to something that is truly intriguing to watch. His character, Eldon Perry, is unlikable in many ways. Russell portrays a man who is so obsessed with his work that he has forgotten morals. He wants to rid the world of evil so badly that he loses sight of the cost to his marriage, to his partner, and to himself. However, at the same time, Russell still manages to allow Perry to be very sympathetic. Russell conveys that while Perry is corrupt, he is also human. Russell's powerful performance is one of the best reasons to see this film and is probably the best performance of Russell's career.