Aug 10: Rampart

"Set in 1999 Los Angeles, veteran police officer Dave Brown, the last of the renegade cops, works to take care of his family, and struggles for his own survival."

Directed by: Oren Moverman, Rated: R, 108 minutes

"Bear in mind that I am not a racist. Fact is, I hate all people equally." sums up Rampart's main character, Dave Brown (Woody Harrelson) perfectly. He hates everyone and everything and does whatever the hell he wants. Of course, this leads to a rather unlikable "hero" and turns Rampart into a series of hate filled events as opposed to a compelling crime drama. The film clearly tries to channel Training Day, even having moments where Dave is teaching new recruits the way of the street cop. Unfortunately, Rampart lacks the intensity (and the script) that makes Training Day so good.

Denzel's a bigger, badder motherf**ker.

Dave Brown is an LA cop who has been working the streets for the last 24 years. He's tough, rough, racist, sexist, and absolutely obsessed with drugs, alcohol and women. He's a bad man with a dirty heart and incredibly hard to like. When he's not working (or drinking and getting high), Dave struggles to keep up with the relationships he has with his two daughters. As the two girls grow older, they become more aware of the kind of man their father is and Dave finds connecting with them even harder. After a very public beating of a man that crashes into his patrol car is recorded and put on the news, Dave's career and methods go under fire and his life is investigated. He's given a hard warning but after a convenience story robbery ends with the murder of one of the thieves (at the hands of Dave), everything spirals out of control and Dave faces termination and criminal charges. Rampart follows the man on his patrols and his interactions with drug dealers and informants, as well as his two ex-wives played by Cynthia Nixon and Anne Heche. 

Simply put, Woody plays a dick. Yeah, I went there.

The film really lacks any solid plot and the story that unfolds is more or less the slow demise of a horrible man. However, Harrelson gives one hell of a performance as Dave Brown and his intensity and fleeting moments of emotion make Rampart watchable. Harrelson is gaunt and disheveled as Brown and his dedication to the role strengthens the notion that Brown is really a man falling part in front of us. He's a man who's used to be in charge, by any means necessary, and when his power is threatened and his life-style put at risk, he squirms like the worm he is. In a weird way, it's intriguing to watch, and while the filmmakers tried very hard to make him likable, it's too difficult to sympathize with the man. 

When a guy's nickname is "Daterape", you know you're going to have a bad time. 

Rampart is worth a recommendation for Harrelson's performance alone. Although the man he plays is so disgustingly unlikable, you can't deny the talent behind the role. Harrelson is a very underrated actor and Rampart does a fine job showcasing his abilities that many people believe he doesn't have. Harrelson is not the only great actor in Rampart, however, as Ben Foster (who plays a handicapped war-vet-junkie), Brie Larson (Dave's daughter, Helen), Robin Wright ("love interest", Linda), and Ned Beatty deliver solid performances. The film is worth a watch but is not anything you should go out of your way to track down. 

The Good:

Woody Harrelson in one of his best performances to date

The Bad:

a script that never comes together with any clear story and is unsure of where to go with itself

The Ugly:

a main character that's way too unlikable to give a damn about 

Overall: 6.0/10

Trailer: