Though director David Ayer possesses deep personal knowledge of the gritty, kinetic energy of South Central LA, the filmmaker has struggled to emotionally connect with his audience. Since penning Training Day in 2000, Ayer has floundered with the middling action crime flicks Street Kings and SWAT. With End Of Watch, the director finally strikes a balance between action, heart and humour. And the result is glorious, gut-wrenching and gripping drama.
The brilliant Jake Gyllenhaal and shamefully underrated Michael Peña star as LAPD officers Brian and Mike. The actors share the most beautifully lived-in chemistry of any buddy cop film, and use their countless shared hours in squad cars to joke, challenge and confess. Their conversations overflow with trust and affection, and constant, hilarious ribbing about each other’s race. “I’m taking Janet to the Philharmonic,” says Brian, nervous about a date. “Yeah?” replies Mike. “Enjoy your white people shit.”
But Ayer can whip from humour to gruesome violence in one horrific heartbeat. And while the two friends may be able to joke about race, it’s no laughing matter in the gang-filled streets of LA. As the men encounter people-trafficking and dismembered bodies and eventually anger a ruthless drug cartel, the tension rises along with the bullet count.
Though found footage can be a gimmick, Ayer finds a way to work it into the narrative, with part-time student Brain filming a documentary. But by only using the footage when he wants to, Ayer creates subtle tonal shifts that work brilliantly. Switching from his detached view of the action to Brian’s clips of the men’s immature posturing, he gives an insight into the gallows humour that allows them to cope with their surroundings.
End Of Watch is an intense, action-packed police drama with a unique pulse and texture. Boasting two incredible performances at its core, it’s also a funny, moving exploration of male friendship, camaraderie and sacrifice.