Dark Blue (2002)

Director:

Ron Shelton

Writers (WGA):

James Ellroy (story)
David Ayer (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 February 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Sworn to protect / Sworn to serve / Sworn to secrecy

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Stripper | Beautiful Woman | Neo Noir | Female Nudity | Alcoholic

Awards:

3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. May 20	5:30 PM	FX
Wed. May 21	10:00 AM	FX

Cast

Kurt Russell	...	Sgt. Eldon Perry
Scott Speedman	...	Det. Bobby Keough
Michael Michele	...	Sgt. Beth Williamson
Brendan Gleeson	...	Jack Van Meter
Ving Rhames	...	Assistant Chief 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

Also Known As:

4-29-92 (USA) (working title)
The Plague Season (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA | UK | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-15 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #38722) | Germany:16 (w) | Australia:MA | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

La Verne, California, USA

Company:

Alphaville Films

Trivia:

This was an original screenplay written by James Ellroy entitled "The Plague Season". It was in development for eight years. One time the film was set up at Universal Pictures.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the opening scene, the car's rear-view mirror suddenly disappears between shots.

Quotes:

Det. Sgt. Eldon Perry Jr.: That's Eldon Perry the third. Right there next to his mom.
Det. Sgt. Eldon Perry Jr.: He will never be a cop - he hates cops. I love him and I... I thank God that I was just too busy pass on to him what my granddaddy passed on to my daddy and my daddy passed on to me - And I was raised up to be a gunfighter by a family of gunfighters.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Blue Code (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Wild Thing

Entertaining film, better than Training Day and Colors

Ron Sheltons look at the LAPD during a time of much scandal involving Rodney King is a well-directed cop film. I liked it more than such hits as Training Day which exposed some dirty cops and better than the classic Dennis Hopper film Colors. Dark Blue was realistic in its portrayal of characters and storyline. Shelton goes back to serious direction with this film after making a horrible film titled Hollywood Homicide. Dark Blue is a good action movie. I liked Kurt Russell in the role but Ving Rhames and Brendan Gleesor gave great supporting performances. Scott Speedman did not impress me much and Lolita Davidovich was good eye candy but failed to turn in any fantastic scenes. THis film is entertaining and although a bit flawed its all-in-all has some engaging performances with a good script and good direction. 9/10