Rated R for bloody violence throughout, strong sexuality, nudity, drug content and pervasive language.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Shooter and Tears of the Sun)
Starring Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Ellen Barkin and Vincent D'Onofrio
Nothing “fine” about Brooklyn’s Finest.
Burned out veteran Eddie Dugan is just one week away from his pension and a fishing cabin in Connecticut. Narcotics officer Sal Procida has discovered there's no line he won't cross to provide a better life for his long-suffering wife and seven children. And Clarence “Tango” Butler has been undercover so long his loyalties have started to shift from his fellow police officers to his prison buddy Caz, one of Brooklyn's most infamous drug dealers.
With personal and work pressures bearing down on them, each man faces daily tests of judgment and honor in one of the world's most difficult jobs. When NYPD's Operation Clean Up targets the notoriously drug-ridden BK housing project, all three officers find themselves swept away by the violence and corruption of Brooklyn's gritty 65th Precinct and its most treacherous criminals. During seven fateful days, Eddie, Sal and Tango find themselves hurtling inextricably toward the same fatal crime scene and a shattering collision with destiny.
You can't blame me for having high expectations. Director Antoine Fuqua was at the helm and the cast included Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke and Wesley Snipes. But this film is trash from beginning to end.
With the exception of Ronny Rosario (played by Flashforward’s Brian F. O'Byrne), Brooklyn’s Finest is completely void of any hero characters. They are more than flawed, they are unlikable and repulsive. Not to mention the fact that Richard Gere is completely unbelievable as the gritty old cop in recent memory. I’m not kidding when I say I spent a good 30 minutes making a mental list of actors who would have been better in that role.
The story about these three men and the paths they are on could have been interesting and entertaining. However, the violence, sexuality, nudity and pervasive language, the lack of honor in almost every character …and Richard Gere make it a Coaster.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Definitely not. There are several very brutal shootings scenes, several graphic sex scenes and way too many F-words to count.
Side Note:
As said above, we don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
