Gangster movie with thought

We Own the Night

Director: James Gray

Cast: Robert Duvall, Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes

Cert: 15

A brave attempt at a thought-provoking gangster film becomes, in the end, merely another gangster film about families on either side of the law trying to come to terms with loyalty and devotion to duty.

Phoenix plays the manager of a New York club forced into crime by the owner’s nephew and on opposite sides to his police father (Duvall) and brother (Wahlberg). Phoenix’s character is the most strongly realized, those of Duvall and Wahlberg less so, which gives the plotline a glaring off-centre balance.

The film looks good and is full of moments of great - alas unfulfilled - promise.

Star Rating: 2/5