We Own The Night (UMD, 2008)

Crime Melodrama 'We Own the Night' releases a moody Director-Driven Crime Saga., while a classic, 'Godfather'-esque vibe informs Writer/Director James Gray's evocative portrait of Family Loyalty, Law Enforcement, and New York Mobsters (in this case, Russian ones).
'We Own the Night' has much to recommend., starting with Joaquin Phoenix, in his first movie since his Oscar-Nominated turn in 'Walk the Line'. As Bobby Green, he is the fast-living manager of a Brooklyn Nightclub circa 1988. You'd never know it by his law-flaunting, drug-using lifestyle., but he's the son of revered Deputy Police Chief Burt Grusinsky (Robert Duvall) and the brother of "By-the-Book" Cop Joseph (Mark Wahlberg).
Bobby has so distanced himself from his Law Enforcement Family (even taking on his mother's maiden name) that no one, except his Puerto Rican "party girl" squeeze Amada "The Always Stunning" (Eva Mendes), knows of this connection - the better to consort with the various thugs, dope dealers, and lowlifes who help Bobby work the nightclub game. He especially needs to keep his cover around Boss Marat (Moni Moshonov); an elderly, Russian family man - and the club's owner - who treats Bobby like a son.
Mayhem breaks loose, though, when the Local Police; (led by Joseph), decide to get tough on drugs and target Bobby's Nightclub for a surprise bust. Marat's Nephew, rising Drug Kingpin Vadim (Alex Veadov), feels the heat most and puts out a hit on family man Joseph.
It's at this point 'We Own the Night' (named for the motto of an actual 1980s NYPD Street Crime Unit) kicks into "High-Gear" and becomes a tense, engrossing tale of redemption as Bobby switches sides, going 'Undercover' to help the Police blow open Vadim's clandestine operation.
Gray manages to envelope two bravura setpieces that distinguish the film from all its predecessors. The first, a car chase in a CGI-Enhanced Rainstorm, is one of the most effective and unusual of its kind, brilliantly shot (by Joaquin Baca-Asay) from Bobby's terrified point of view. The other is a harrowing sequence (reminiscent, in the best way, of Wahlberg's drug-related encounter with Alfred Molina in 'Boogie Nights') in which Bobby, carrying a police-wired cigarette lighter, tours Vadim's spooky drug lair under the guise of helping him sell a major new shipment.
Also, without providing any spoilers....the finale is visually compelling, and screams of daunting credibility.
Phoenix and Wahlberg (who also co-starred in Gray's 'The Yards') are intensely believable and committed as the Estranged Brothers who eventually find common ground. Duvall is excellent, as always, as the tough; yet fair widower dad. And luridly sensual, (no surprises here either) is Mendes, who does all she can as the "suffering girlfriend," a slightly underdeveloped role.
'We Own the Night' is pure bravado that is a true, serious adult Crime Yarn you simply don't want to miss.
Highly Recommended !! Won't Fail You !!