Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 09/23/2008 Run time: 118 minutes Rating: R

In We Own the Night, Joaquin Phoenix, whose eyes burn with sullen anger even when he's looking at the woman he loves, plays Bobby Green, a nightclub manager in the 1980s who gets caught between his blood family he tried to leave behind--a long line of police officers--and his chosen family of friends and business partners, who turn out to be drug dealers. His father (Robert Duvall) and brother (Mark Wahlberg) want Bobby to help their investigation, but Bobby resists--until the conflict takes a brutal turn. Writer/director James Gray wears his influences on his sleeve; he's clearly seen every movie that Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola ever made and aspires to follow in their footsteps. The familiarity of the movie's territory dilutes its impact, but the plot of We Own the Night remains unpredictable, the performances have a clean vitality, and Gray's moody visual style brings some life to the genre. Phoenix (Walk the Line) dives into his role, sifting through layers of guilt and familial resentment; Wahlberg and Duvall play parts they've essentially played a dozen times, but do so with commitment and integrity. Also featuring Eva Mendes (Ghost Rider) as Bobby's devoted girlfriend, who questions just how much she'll have to give up for him. --Bret Fetzer

Beyond We Own the Night

On Blu-ray

Original Soundtrack

Stills from We Own the Night (click for larger image)

I I have to admit I did not like the first 30 minutes of this movie but I'm glad I stuck with it because it got pretty good...and then better and better! The last hour was riveting in many spots and the movie finished on a high note.

Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duvall are all terrific, as usual, but I actually thought two of the most interesting roles in here were played by supporting actors Alex Veadov and Danny Hoch. Veadov is Russian thug "Vadim Nezinski" as is Hoch nightclub employee-best friend "Jumbo."

There is an extremely tense and violent car chase scene in this film, along with a shocking sex scene in the first few minutes, but basically it is far more of a character-study film, of the relationships involving the Grusinsky family.

If you can get by the first 30 minutes, you'll be rewarded with a good story, even touching at times despite the rough characters.

I recently watched director James Gray's previous film The Yards that teamed Joaquin Phoenix & Mark Wahlberg. I decided to rent "We Own the Night" and remembered as the first frames fluttered that I'd seen this as a theatrical release. Of Gray's four films, three star Phoenix. It was interesting to hear in the DVD extras how Gray finds Phoenix difficult to work with because he wants to know in such detail what is motivating the character. Gray says that while he has to spend extra time with Phoenix, the results are superb. Phoenix keeps meticulous track of the story line as shots are filmed out of sequence.

Phoenix recently had an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line" as well as earning a Golden Globe. As Bobby Green, the film begins with a torrid love scene with Eva Mendes. It is so steamy that even though the pair mostly keep their clothes on, we feel like we've intruded on a very personal moment in their lives. Phoenix maintains his intensity throughout.

Eva Mendes plays Bobby's girlfriend Amada. While she was in "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," she blossoms in this role, showing great depth as an actress. The harrowing violence that swirls around their relationship becomes too much for her. She shares in the DVD extras about how she felt like a real partner in creating the role with James Gray & playing the scenes with Phoenix.

Mark Wahlberg plays Bobby's brother, Lt. Joseph Grusinsky. Wahlberg also contrasts his style of show up & shoot to Phoenix's studied approach. While Wahlberg doesn't achieve the depth, he is versatile in handling the anger, jealousy & love for family. The very understated ending where each brother whispers to the other that they love each other while on a stage receiving commendations is as underplayed as it is powerful.

Robert Duvall plays their father Bert Grusinsky with his trademark stoic intensity. Phoenix shares how when he talked to the costumer, he wanted to wear things that were sure to upset the father. The suggestion of an earring seemed perfect. When Phoenix showed on set wearing it, Duval razzed him about it, perfect for the characters' conflict.

Danny Hoch plays Green's best friend Jumbo Falsetti. While Hoch has paid his dues in a number of smaller roles on screen, he blossoms here as the pudgy buddy whose friendship is conditioned by opportunism and spiced by betrayal. The confrontation scene between Bobby & Jumbo was shot outdoors in 9 degree weather, with Gray sliding in a secret direction to Hoch to play belligerent, which set the fuse of Phoenix's anger. It's riveting to watch.

In smaller roles, Alex Veadov who was in "Return of the Living Dead 4" plays the Russian drug czar Vadim. His chilling coldness and suave assurance play well to his final bloody moments. Oleg Taktarov who plays in many Russian films does a great job as the protective bodyguard Pavel Lubyarsky who distrusts Green. Tony Musante who was also in "The Yards" does a journeyman's job as police Capt. Jack Shapiro.

Moni Moshonov that I saw in a great foreign film Late Marriage plays Marat Bujayev who owns the Cafe Caribbe where Green works and turns out to put special additives into the furs he imports into the country. Gray recounts how one of the final scenes where Bobby emerges from a fire was shot as thunder boomed in a darkening sky. About 30 seconds after Gray yelled cut, the sky disgorged a deluge, perfect timing that Gray relishes as his favorite moment on the shoot.

I found the film extremely affecting. I like the character-based drama. Although there is plenty of action, the story is moved by seeing how it affects the characters. The DVD extra on filming the car chase was quite interesting. Both "The Yards" & this film show a gritty realism that is fashioned by Gray's guiding hand. It's excellent film. Enjoy!

Director James Gray once again pairs Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg, seven years after he directed them in "The Yards." This time, they play brothers on opposite side of the law in 1988 New York City. Wahlberg is a straight-arrow police captain who follows in the footsteps of their successful father, Robert Duvall who is a Deputy Chief, whereas Phoenix runs a hot nightclub for some Russians who deal in the drug business. Wahlberg tries to bring down the Russians and solicits the help of Phoenix, who turns him down, preferring the money and drugs that come along with his current position. These two worlds, though, will soon collide.

"We Own the Night" is a solid cop/gangster movie with a nice vintage feel; although set in the 80s, it reminded me of gritty 70s cop films. The story is small-scale, which allows for character development. There's nothing novel about the plot, but there are some terrific scenes, especially an exciting rain-drenched car chase. Unfortunately, the movie loses credibility in the last half hour with some unbelievable plot twists and a few melodramatic scenes. However, I'd definitely prefer to watch "We Own the Night" than most other overblown recent gangster movies, such as "Blow" or "American Gangster."

One of my top movies, Joaquin gives a life time performance. The story, about two brothers, working from two sides of the law, coming together to beat the bad guys. If you're a Mark Wahlberg or Joaquin Phoenix fan, a must see....rent it or buy it.

Acting & production was up to par for a movie of today's caliber, which is why I give this movie more than one star.

The entire plot, on the other hand, has been so overdone throughout the years, that creating a movie of this style today would require more imaginative writing. This movie was predictable at many points, and beyond that, did not give me any "Wow, I never saw that coming!" moments.

Glad I watched it on PPV as the 99-cent special, rather than paying to see it in a theatre. Just never came close to hitting home with me.