Edward Norton is in top form as Ray, a burned-out detective whose investigation into the deaths of four cops leads him to suspect his brother-in-law, Officer Jimmy Egan (Colin Farrell, also terrific).
75
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Its value is unquestionable as drama and moral provocation.
70
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
The stark drama harkens back to Sidney Lumet classics like "Serpico" and "Prince of the City"-filmmaking that went after an unadorned, jagged realism, with acting to match.
The final 15 minutes are so awful that it's difficult to believe that the bulk of the film is actually decent.
50
VarietyTodd McCarthy
VarietyTodd McCarthy
Feels like a film that should have been made at least 25 years ago. Or made as a period piece. Heavy, doom-laden and, unfortunately, entirely predictable.
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
It follows the well-worn pathways of countless police dramas before it.
It's a good thing this movie has been sitting on the shelf for a year or more, because, apart from the difference in release dates, there's little to distinguish this new cop drama from last year's cop drama "We Own the Night."
20
Village Voice
Village Voice
How ironic that a movie filled with police officers should end up feeling like a hostage situation.