Dark Blue (2002)

A robbery homicide investigation triggers a series of events that will cause a corrupt LAPD officer to question his tactics.

Director:

Ron Shelton

Writers:

James Ellroy (story), David Ayer (screenplay)

Stars:

Kurt Russell, Scott Speedman, Michael Michele

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kurt Russell	...	Eldon Perry
Scott Speedman	...	Bobby Keough
Michael Michele	...	Beth Williamson
Brendan Gleeson	...	Jack Van Meter
Ving Rhames	...	Arthur Holland
Kurupt	...	Darryl Orchard
Dash Mihok	...	Gary Sidwell
Jonathan Banks	...	James Barcomb
Lolita Davidovich	...	Sally Perry
Khandi Alexander	...	Janelle Holland
Dana Lee	...	Henry Kim
Chapman Russell Way	...	Eldon Perry III
Marin Hinkle	...	Deena Schultz
Jim Cody Williams	...	Suspect
Eloy Casados	...	Rico

Storyline

Set in the Los Angeles Police Department in April 1992, Dark Blue is a dramatic thriller that takes place just days before the acquittal of four white officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King and the subsequent L.A. riots. In this racially-charged climate,the LAPD's elite Special Investigations Squad (SIS) is assigned a high-profile quadruple homicide. As they work the case, veteran detective Eldon Perry, known for his tough street tactics and fiery temper, tutors SIS rookie Bobby Keough in the grim realities of police intimidation and corruption. Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Holland, the only man in the department willing to stand up to the SIS, threatens to end Perry's brand of singlehanded "justice" on the Los Angeles streets. While navigating through the tumultuous neighborhoods of South Central L.A., Perry and Keough must track down cold-blooded killers and face their own demons, which prove to be more ruthless than the criminals they pursue.

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Plot Keywords:

lapd | police | investigation | robbery | riot | 

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Taglines:

Sworn to protect / Sworn to serve / Sworn to secrecy

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

MGM [us]

Country:

USA UK Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

4-29-92

Filming Locations:

La Verne, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$445,606 (France) (22 August 2003)

Gross:

$445,606 (France) (22 August 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alphaville Films, Cosmic Pictures, IM Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The footage of an anxious Kurt Russell in the hotel room was shot in one take, then intercut with itself and other scenes.

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Goofs

After Bobby shoots an "innocent" suspect, the gun Eldon handed the suspect to make it look like self defense is clearly seen lying on the ground before him on ground views but not on helicopter views.

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Quotes

Det. Sgt. Eldon Perry Jr.: The choke hold saved lives, but, ah, nobody ever got elected saying that, I suppose.

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Connections

References Training Day (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Wild Thing"
Written by Matt Dike, Tone Loc (as Anthony Smith) and Marvin Young
Performed by Tone Loc
Courtesy of Delicious Vinyl

User Reviews

Good cop or bad cop, all heads will roll!

I'm not the biggest fan of police/crime drama's (with or without some action and thrills thrown in the mix). Most of the time (especially the direct-to-DVD ones) those movies are simply below average. DARK BLUE, however, rightfully received a theatrical release. This movie's got a good story to tell (written by James Ellroy), supported by more than decent acting performances. Kurt Russell delivers one of his best performances yet as Eldon Perry, a middle aged unsympathetic loud-mouth cop on the verge of promotion. He doesn't question his orders given by corrupt superiors, and that's how he was able to follow in his father's footsteps and climb the ranks of the LAPD. I haven't seen Scott Speedman in many movies yet, but from the looks of it he's a decent actor too, who holds strong when acting aside Kurt Russell.

Given this is a James Ellroy story, one quickly is led to believe that there are way more corrupt cops out there than good ones. And even the honest ones (in pursuit of justice) have a few skeletons in the closet. All characters have a lot of flesh on their bones, which make them all very interesting. And because of the many fluent dialogues that demand your attention, you tend to forget that all the things going on the way they do, can't last forever. So when things do go wrong, it's a bit of a surprise for who it goes bad and for who it gets even worse.

The whole background story with the lawsuit against the cops who beat up Afro-American Rodney King is cleverly used to stage the 90's setting. And the riots in the street, caused by the decision of the jury near the end of the movie, add a lot to the exciting climax of DARK BLUE. This one's as decent as L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, only, maybe, a bit less intriguing. But still, an excellent movie with solid acting and a good story.