February 10, 2012 8:00 pm US/Pacific
Rampart starring Woody Harrelson.
Beverly Hills, CA -
"New" is a difficult term to fulfill in Hollywood. "Tried-and-True" is normally the route most frequently traveled.
With "prequels," "sequels," & "reboots" being the formula of choice, when something "new" emerges to the forefront, great
things can happen.
This is case with "Rampart," starring two-time Oscar nominee, Woody Harrelson. A Millenium Entertainment Movie, Rampart
is directed by Oren Moverman from a screenplay by James Ellroy and Moverman, Starring alongside Harrelson are
Robin Wright, Sigourney Weaver, Ice Cube, Ben Foster, Ned Beatty, Cynthia Nixon, Anne Heche, Brie Larson,
and Steve Buscemi.
The backdrop of the film's storyline is set in the '90's, during the fall out of the Rampart Scandal with tensions between
the LAPD and the citizenry at its highest. The movie does not deal with the scandal of Rampart and the CRASH Culture; but,
instead, touches on it as a State-Of-Mind.
Rampart centers around Dave Brown (Woody Harrelson), a Vietnam Vet and 24-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Force, He
is assigned to the Rampart division and his rough and tumble manner becomes the focus of an investigation after what seems
to be an orchestrated auto accident with a motorist and the motorists subsequent beating by Officer Brown.
Thus begins his downward spiral.
Moverman pulls us into the life of Brown with a smooth-moving story and captivating cinematography. Systematically Brown's
character is revealed: He is a generation officer whose father was in LAPD before him. He seems to have a history of violence
that is exacerbated by his being a Vet. He lives next door to his two daughers - each from a different mother. To add to the
layers, the mothers are sisters (played by Cynthia Nixon and Anne Heche).
As Brown's life choices continue to haunt him, he refuses to change his point of view. As each new obstacle presents itself,
he barrels on, bullies through, and heaps more pain and suffering on himself and on those around him.
Brown finds himself in the middle of an investigation. Detective Kyle Timkins (Ice Cube) is the no-nonsense D.A. Investigator.
Undeterred, Detective Timkins is relentless at both getting to the truth and striving for justice. He refuses to permit Brown
to end things his way. Assistant D.A. Joan Confrey (Sigourney Weaver) is tirelessly working to get to the bottom of the
department-wide corruption in the LAPD while D.A. Bill Blago (Steve Buscemi) tries to prosecute Brown.
Additionally, Brown relies on the poor advice of a long-time family friend who is a retired officer (Ned Beatty) turned informant and starts
a volatile relationship with a defense attorney, Linda Fentress (Robin Wright), who lives on the same "food" as Brown - sex and power.
Time runs short as Brown's life is reflected back to him by the people important in his life. Events, decisions, regret all begin
to run into each other and Brown is left at a crossroads: to continue on this downward slope or to change into someone he doesn't
know how to be.
Director Oren Moverman's use of the City of Angels as the back drop, set, and setting of Rampart was perfect. In his use of
important landmarks and locals, he brought authenticity and a realness that permeates the films story. The viewer is IN Los
Angeles riding alongside an officer of the LAPD.
Additionally, the photography was exceptional. From the quick moving camera, to the long angles to the broad spectral scopes,
the movie moved along smoothly, quickly, and clearly. As the story progresses, the photography keeps the viewer sensing the
edginess and rawness of the characters.
At best, I was expecting a rehash of Kurt Russell's "Blue Shield" or a shoddy version of Denzel Washington's "Training Day." Instead,
I was met with a nice surprise in Woody Harrelson's "Rampart" in that it held my attention from beginning to end. Rampart does not
deal with an objective situation; instead, it addresses a subjective turmoil as experienced by its main character, Dave Brown.
I appreciated how director Oren Moverman wisely refused to tie loose ends and create a sense of closure. Alternatively, he leaves
this story he weaved in my lap and leaves me pondering how it may (or how I want it to) end.
The performances of the supporting cast are note-worthy, the direction by Moverman aesthetically pleasing; but, it is Woody Harrelson's
performance that shines above all else.
Without looking for them, there are moments in his performance that sneak up on you and you see what must be called "moments of greatness!"
Moments which hold up to such acts as, I dare say, Robert Duvall and Harvey Keitel. I was surprised by what I witnessed in
Rampart. Others may, and some will, disagree; but as for me, if Woody Harrelson continues on this acting path, his name will be included
alongside those astounding actors.
If you like gritty cop dramas, you'll enjoy watching Rampart. If you want to watch an icon in the making, be sure to make time to catch
this earthy Oren Moverman film starring the deeply talented Woody Harrelson.
Film: Rampart
Distributor: Millennium Entertainment
Produced by: Larence Inglee, Clark Peterson, Ben Foster and Ken Kao
Directed by: Oren Moverman
Written by: James Ellroy and Oren Moverman
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Robin Wright, Sigourney Weaver, Ice Cube, Ned Beatty, Cynthia Nixon, Anne Heche, Brie Larson
Release date: February 10th, 2012 - NY & LA
Total Running Time: 107 minutes
Rating: R for pervasive language, sexual content and some violence.
Gus Summers is the Host and Broadcast Producer for The "IN Show, an entertaining broadcast that covers all things exciting and enlightening.
When Gus isn't busy covering current events and interesting people, you'll see him out and about enjoying all that the City of Angels has to offer.
For any questions, comments, or program ideas, he can be reached at gus@theinshow.com.
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