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, Ving Rhames, Scott Speedman

4 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 Way	...	Eldon Perry III (as Chapman Russell Way)
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:

neo noir | corrupt cop | police officer | police detective | man wearing glasses | 

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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

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 USA:

$3,880,688, 23 February 2003, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$9,059,588, 16 March 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

Towards the end of the film, when Officer Williams and Detective Keough are on their way to 12657 Juliet and hear the verdict of the Rodney King trial, Officer Williams is seen loading a shotgun. The shotgun is an Ithaca 37, also known as the "L.A.P.D. Special", a firearm specifically made of the Los Angeles Police Department.

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Goofs

During the sex scene between the young detective and Beth, their underwear is showing under the covers.

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Quotes

Jack Van Meter: Your whore's dead.

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Connections

Featured in Blue Code (2003)

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Soundtracks

Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg
Written by Dallas Austin, Roger Ball, Robert Kool Bell (as Robert E. Bell),
Ronald Bell, George Bowen, Donald Boyce, Malcolm Duncan, Steve Ferrone,
, Alan Gorrie, Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes (as Lisa Lopes), Onnie McIntyre (as Owen McIntyre),
, Robert Spike Mickens (as Robert Mickens), Claydes Smith, Hamish Stuart,
, Dennis D.T. Thomas (as Dennis Thomas) and Richard Westfield (as Richard Wesfield)
Performed by TLC
Courtesy of Arista Records

User Reviews

The Other Side of the Police Department and Justice System, With Corruption in All Levels

In 1992, in Los Angeles, Homicide Detective Eldon Perry (Kurt Russell) is a member of the third generation of detectives in the Los Angeles Police Department. His partner is the rookie Bobby Keough (Scott Speedman), the nephew of the Chief of the Department Jack Van Meter (Breendan Gleeson), one of the best friends of Eldon's father. Eldon follows his orders without questioning, being protected by his superior, when interrogated by the Internal Affairs. Jack and Eldon do not have ethics, using intimidation, corruption and blackmail to achieve their targets and defeat their enemies. However, Assistant Chief Holland (Ving Rhames) is a honest officer, who fights against the corruption in the department and wants to destroy Jack and Elson. Bobby does not fit well in such a corrupted environment and is in love with Sargent Beth Williamson (Michael Michele), who works with Holland and had a love affair with him five years before. When four persons are executed in a Corean store by two criminals protected by Jack, Eldon and Bobby are in charge to find two scapegoats to take the blame. Meanwhile, tension is increasing on the streets of Los Angeles due to the trial of four white officers, who spanked the black motorist Rodney King. Having the backdrop of the real case of Rodney King, and consequent violence on the streets of LA after the absolving of the four white officers responsible for his aggression, and many plot points, "Dark Blue" is a very different, realistic and dramatic police story. Themes like racism, police excessive (or brutal) use of force for intimidation, corruption, blackmail, violent crimes, redemption etc. are presented in this film. The corruption in all levels of the police department and the justice system is explored in this movie. Although being in Los Angeles, it could be in most of the police departments of different nations. The performance of Kurt Russell is once again amazing, in the role of a man who goes to hell, destroying his personal and professional life in all the aspects, and looking for redemption in the end. "Dark Blue" is a highly recommended movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Face Oculta da Lei" ("The Hidden Face of the Law")