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 [United States]

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

James Ellroy declared that he had nothing to do with this film. David Ayer entirely rewrote his script and only conserved the names of some characters.

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Goofs

Assistant Chief Holland is wearing his rank insignia upside down during Detective Keough's Officer-Involved-Shooting Board. He wears 3 stars on each collar; one point of each star should be pointed up (towards his neck) however he is wearing them pointed down.

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Quotes

Det. Sgt. Eldon Perry Jr.: Look what descended from the sixth floor, Hey, Jimmy.
James Barcomb: Jack. How are you holding up, son?
Bobby Keough: I'm good, sir.
James Barcomb: You should've seen this kid. He was outstanding. Ever thought about doing a tour with public affairs? We could use a good-looking son of a bitch like you.
Jack Van Meter: He's a good young cop, Jimmy, and he's mine. Well, I tried.
James Barcomb: The board voted- In policy, You're off the hook, kid.
Det. Sgt. Eldon Perry Jr.: There you go.
Jack Van Meter: Congratulations. Have a cigar.
James Barcomb: The report will be ready in the morning. You guys can get back into the field. So...
[...]

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Connections

References Romeo + Juliet (1996)

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Soundtracks

"F... tha Police"
Written by Ice Cube (as O'Shea Jackson), M.C. Ren (as Lorenzo Patterson) and Dr. Dre (as Andre Young)
Performed by N.W.A.
Courtesy of Ruthless Records/Priority Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets

User Reviews

Surprisingly Good Cop Flick

About halfway through this movie, I realized I hadn't blinked once. That's when I knew that I was watching a really good film. Kurt Russell is no slouch of an actor. He was riveting. This was a well crafted cop flick where everyone seems to have dirt on someone else, and meanwhile, there are crimes being committed, and L.A. is about to erupt in rioting.

The great thing about this flick is that it doesn't try to be more than it is. Which is just a very entertaining, suspenseful cop movie.

Well worth a watch.

Or two.