We Own the Night

How did this gem escape my attention for so long? I happened to come across it recently and must admit that James Gray surprised me. We Own the Night boasts flawless stylization. The creators truly succeeded in capturing the 1980s retro atmosphere perfectly. Moreover, I can’t overlook the cast. Joaquin Phoenix was outstanding, but even Robert Duvall, as the father of the main character, contributed significantly with his years of experience in the industry. Surprisingly, I was also pleased with the story. I was genuinely expecting another tired, clichéd plot, but thankfully, that wasn’t the case. The screenplay played cleverly with the audience, like a cat with a mouse. And that chase scene, where the focus is solely on the sound of the windshield wipers with an unpleasant screeching in the background? A masterfully directed moment (and emotionally powerful). The raid on the drug den also had its charm (I was holding my breath there). The film truly offers a lot, and I can definitely recommend it. For me, it’s an 8/10. (07/09/2023)

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)

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)

We Own the Night is smaller and less original, but more open and emotionally relatable than the similar American Gangster. Excellent actors, hard-on-inducing Eva Mendes, and a breath-taking car chase that will make the blood freeze in your veins. Very good job, folks! (18/02/2008)

Genre fans are extremely conservative creatures, so for a good experience, they need the same ingredients mixed in a similar ratio and spiced up with a drop of innovation in the form of a modified label on the packaging. Only the faces of the main characters change, the essence remains the same. We Own the Night draws inspiration from the trend of crime films focusing on the drug trade and the influence of the Russian-speaking mafia in the USA. Otherwise, it is a run-of-the-mill film of its genre with a predictable plot, stereotypical characters, and worn-out schemes. Of course, the family motif is not missing, as the main character wavers between loyalty to his family working in the police force and his friends from his personal life. We also get Eva Mendes portraying a sensual beauty. Genre fans can add any number of stars to the review, but a film where I can predict every move of the screenwriter and director in advance tends not to satisfy me. Overall impression: 40%. It's simply not Eastern Promises... (01/03/2009)