Movie Reviews

We Own the Night

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Written by Jonathan Jacobs

       We Own the Night is a film that purports to provide an inward glimpse into the criminal underworld.  Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix) abandoned his family by becoming a drug lord.  Eventually, he reverses course by serving as a key witness against the very same drug trafficking which he engaged in routinely.  Eva Mendes plays Bobby’s Puerto Rican girlfriend. Astonishingly, she manages to deliver a sub-par performance worthy more of a novice actress hoping to merely seem pleasing to the naked eye. 

       Joaquin Phoenix has shown incredible diversity in his career.  From Walk the Line to Gladiator, to Eight Millimeter, his versatility has been considerable. One would imagine his livelihood would never encounter a total bomb.  Think again!  We Own the Night is contender for most prosaic and least enjoyable film of the year.  It is a popcorn movie only insofar as one desperately needs some distraction from the boring happenings on screen. 

      We would be remiss for not mentioning Marc Wahlberg’s role as a police officer in the film (Joseph Grusinsky).   Early in his career Marcy Marc seemed like a sensational and genuinely exciting actor.  His movies do not have much staying power in popular memory because each one is lacking in gravitas, but they have been entertaining.  Lately, between Shooter and We Own the Night, his career seems to have plunged to an all time low.  He needs to select roles that suite his stature and talents, not repetitive typecasting that leaves audiences wondering why he will ever act again.  If you have a choice, avoid this film, have the courage to wait for the DVD and then watch something else after 10 minutes has elapsed.

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