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A Favorite Movie

 David Ayer wrote "Training Day," which won an Oscar for Denzel Washington and a nomination for Ethan Hawke. After this, I imagine everyone wanted to work with him.

This explains "End of Watch," and its starry Oscar-caliber leads, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anna Kendrick. And it explains the presence of critics'-darling Michael Pena.

"End of Watch" concerns two cops--buddies--who stumble on cartel affairs in Los Angeles. Their discoveries soon mean that they're potential targets for an assassination. Meanwhile, our buddy cops wonder why the feds are hesitating to take action against the cartel; after all, evidence of murder and human trafficking in L.A. is starting to grow, and grow, and grow.

Meanwhile, the bond between Gyllenhaal and Pena deepens. Gyllenhaal is tortured and bookish; Pena is likely smarter, and less snobby. The two argue about dating, about curse words, about their attitudes toward men who are homosexual. Gyllenhaal announces he is taking Kendrick to the symphony; Pena rolls his eyes and says, "Enjoy your White Folks Activity." Faux-startled by this stereotype, Gyllenhaal says, "Sure. I'll bring you back a burrito."

Roger Ebert loved this movie; Manohla Dargis liked it, and wished that the script's views on gender were a bit less retrograde. (And it's true that Kendrick is given very little to do. But, my goodness, she is brilliant!)

I'm fond of the tiny details. The problem Gyllenhaal's camera presents in the locker room. ("Fuck, did I swear in your film? Shit, I did it again. Oh, fuck....") The use of on-the-job terminology: "Light him up...." "Let's buy that distress call...." "This tool breaks windows...." Finally, I like the attention to transitional moments: quinceaneras, weddings, new additions to the family.

A strange, shape-shifting movie. Worth the rental.
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