We Own the Night (2007)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

James Gray

Writer (WGA):

James Gray (written by)

Release Date:

12 October 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Two brothers on opposite sides of the law. Beyond their differences lies loyalty.

Plot:

A New York nightclub manager tries to save his brother and father from Russian mafia hit men.

Plot Keywords:

Russian | Club | Drugs | Brooklyn | Russian Mafia

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix	...	Robert 'Bobby' Green
Eva Mendes	...	Amada Juarez
Mark Wahlberg	...	Capt. Joseph 'Joe' Grusinsky
Robert Duvall	...	Deputy Chief Albert 'Bert' Grusinsky
Alex Veadov	...	Vadim Nezhinski
Dominic Colon	...	Freddie
Danny Hoch	...	Jumbo Falsetti
Oleg Taktarov	...	Pavel Lubyarsky
Moni Moshonov	...	Marat Buzhayev
Antoni Corone	...	Michael Solo
Craig Walker	...	Russell De Keifer
Tony Musante	...	Capt. Jack Shapiro
Joe D'Onofrio	...	Bloodied Patron
Yelena Solovey	...	Kalina Buzhayev (as Elena Solovey)
Maggie Kiley	...	Sandra Grusinsky

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, drug material, language, some sexual content and brief nudity.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:18A (Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #43553) | Ireland:15A | Norway:15 | Finland:K-15 | Philippines:R-13 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Taiwan:R-18 | Brazil:16 | Sweden:15 | France:U | Australia:MA | New Zealand:R16 | Italy:VM14 | Singapore:M18 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | South Korea:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Argentina:13 | Japan:PG-12 | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

2929 Productions

Trivia:

The car chase scene has been shot on an entirely sunny day and the rain had been put in digitally later.

Goofs:

Continuity: Bobby leaves the wall twice after hearing about his brother over the phone.

Quotes:

Joseph Grusinsky: I don't need any more guns in my life, that's for sure. But you should have one to be safe. It's better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-10-13)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

The Magnificent Seven

Intelligent and thought-provoking drama developing a familiar conflict with the Russian mafia

The film starts in Brooklyn , 1888. Two brothers, Robert and Albert Green have chosen separated ways. Bobby Green Grusinsky(Joaquin Phoenix) is manager of a Russian club, who suffers emotional pain when has to confront with his father and brother. Joseph Green Grusinsky (Mark Wahlberg)is a police officer recently promoted to captain, he's a cold-blood professional. Their father is the upright Deputy Chief Albert Grusinsky(Robert Duvall). Bobby has a beautiful fiancée(Eva Mendes) and directs efficiently his club. When a Russian mobster is making his heroin trade, Joseph and Albert ask help to Bobby but he declines. Then Joe busts the discotheque that Robert manages and detain the Russian gangster but also to Bobby. Then the events wreak havoc and lead a spiral out of control.

This is a familiar drama full of intrigue, action, tension, thrills, and violence. Stunning performances by the trio protagonist, Wahlberg, Duvall and Phoenix who frequently casts for the director Gray. Gorgeous beauty from Eva Mendes who also does a magnificent acting as suffering girlfriend .This entertaining and suspenseful film is plenty of twists and unexpected turns. Adequate and moving musical score by Wojciech Kilar.Atmospheric cinematography reflecting splendidly interiors and exteriors from Queens streets.The picture is well directed by John Gray who frequently deals familiar conflicts set in N.Y , in fact he grew up in Queens and his grandparents were Russian immigrants. Gray is a nice writer/director and winner of several prizes.His first movie was ¨Litte Odessa¨(1994) at age of twenty-four and winner of the Venice film Festival, concerning also about Russian immigrants. His following was ¨The Yards¨ which was selected for official competition at Cannes Festival and starred by Mark Wahlberg and Joaquin Phoenix . His last film is titled ¨Two lovers¨(2008), and again with Joaquin Phoenix. Rating : Better than average, well worth watching.