We Own the Night

The uncompromising and refreshingly straightforward path of personal transformation (the only point of contact with The Departed, the oft-cited similarity simply eludes me), which James Gray brings to an emotionally intense conclusion and demonstrates that gangsters are not, and will not be dead for a long time. The perfect atmosphere makes you feel on your own skin what it's like to have one foot on the right side of the law and at the same time scrape the bottom of a pit full of mud. (25/04/2008)

Quite a pleasant surprise in the end. James Gray has improved quite a bit, after the previous very boring, almost TV-like The Yards this is way better. At times pretty suspenseful (the visit to a drug den, the car chase in the rain), at times ridiculously theatrical; overall a better 3*. The bloodless Wahlberg is much neglected, Eva Mendes serves as mere decoration, basically the whole thing is pulled by a superb Phoenix, it’s a terrible shame that he plays in so few films. (01/02/2008)

There have been so many of these tough stories that it can't be counted, but this new release rides on the wave of the magnificent American Gangster, though unfortunately it doesn't measure up. If it wasn't for Phoenix, I wouldn't know where to look out of boredom. The family background doesn't have enough connection, and therefore some reactions are unjustified – or rather, you don't sympathise with the characters. The fault is in the the script, of course, not the actors – though, to be honest, good-guy Wahlberg’s performance is particularly good this time, and daddy Duvall can do better too. There are two scenes that are worth watching: the creatively conceived car chase with excellent camerawork, and the infiltration scene. The Russian accent is awesome. (23/09/2008)

This unbalanced police story suffers from: a) an acute lack of tough guys, b) narrative dilettantism, and c) too much chatter. So for next time: Mark Wahlberg is not suited to the role of a good daddy, and if Joaquin Phoenix wasn't such a big shot we’d have a hard time buying into his "family" motivation. In addition, brotherly relationships can be cemented in action, not by crying on a shoulder. The Departed is on another level... (30/03/2008)

A very good thriller with a perfect cast, a tense atmosphere and an interesting plot. From beginning to end the film is accompanied by style, brutality, Russian mafia, drugs and a lot of great scenes, especially the one in the drug den and the chase on the rain. Those who haven't seen it catch up immediately. For me, a lot of great satisfaction. 80%. (12/05/2014)