End Of Watch is a contemporary realistic action drama that deals with issues that are plaguing the Los Angeles community of South Central for many years. Police as well as the citizens are depicted in a negative manner. In a time when local law enforcement is under the watchful eye of the public and scrutiny of federal authorities comes a movie that actually depicts police department in positive perspective. Police departments through out the United States are trying to rebuild or perhaps built relationship with the community. With police misconduct, corruption and abuse of power so prevalent, Jake Gyllenhaal a white and Michael Pena Mexican American star in this hit film that contradict what is portrayed by the public. It is a drama that brings up the issue of race and violence in the South Central community. They play two Los Angeles Police Department officers assigned to patrol one of the most dangerous places in the city. Part of their patrol obligations is to serve the a community were gang violence is caused by racial tensions between two rival gangs fighting for control of the drug trade. Stereotypically or not this is a norm in the hood or in the inner city, which is called the Newton division AKA Shootin’ Newton. As we learned in American Me, racial tensions between Latinos and blacks escalates into the streets of Los Angeles as in this movie It also demonstrates how the inside of the prison controls the outside world. In the begging of the film the officers were on pursuit of a vehicle that resulted in a shoot out. Even though it was a justifiable shooting, it would still cause controversy within the minority groups.
The relationship between the two officers is a comical but yet serious. They have more than a professional relationship, but truly are friends. They enjoy criticizing each other’s race. Michael Pena plays Zavala who is raised with traditional Mexican values as well as strong religious values. Taylor played by Gyllenhaal, mimics him about his cousin’s quiencanera. Zavala is mocked for his taste in Starbucks. He is very proud of his Mexican roots while Gyllenhaal sarcastically mocks him. It the deleted scenes Zavala states he is the King Taco Boxing parking lot champion. For those who do not know, it was a place in place in East LA where after hour fights took place. The bond is stronger than the racial mockery, even though some of stereotypes can be perceived as accurate. This is not the typical Born in East LA film which both movies do stereotype Latinos from a negative prospective. Not all Latinos are gangsters, but in these film they are depicted as ruthless, and evil individuals. As they are conducting surveillance of a local street gang that was involved in a deadly drive by shooting, the two officers stumble upon the drug cartels that are secretly operating in the the Los Angeles area. They investigation of the Hispanic street gang leads them to a higher level of street crime. Ultimately, they are green lit, which means there is a bounty on there heads.
End of Watch does not perpetuate the problem by glorifying violence, however it brings awareness to issues that are occurring on a daily basis. Taylor emphasis on how much action they encounter, while other cities see none. Usually those places are well to do communities. there are many issues that are hurting communities through out the nation. This film depicts the latino officer in as honorable individual with high level of integrity. While gang members are perceived for what they are.
I saw this movie a few years ago and non of that actually crossed my mind the first time I saw it but your review is very true. I just saw it as a movie with a bod between two officers but I never noticed that it goes against the perception most people have a cops and does try to make them something that to most people they are not. I definitely need to re-watch it to catch all of the stereotyping. I wonder if films like this will blow up now that we are in an extremely anti-police time.
As I was reading through the blogs I realized that this film and the film Colors had a lot in common. Although both deal with gangs and violence in Los Angeles they do so in very different time periods. Its interesting to see that Colors, which was released in 1998 chooses two Caucasian men as their lead characters to be cast as police officers while End of Watch chooses to diversify the characters to provide a more realistic version of police officers in the field and their race/ethnicity. Having been made in 2012 End of Watch tends to focus more on the friendship and brotherhood the two officers share regardless of their race.
Interesting review of a movie I have not seen. The topic covered by this film, policing in minority communities, has been a sensitive topic since the 1992 LA riots. From what I read it seems that this film is one-sided in that it takes on the perspective of the cops. I enjoy watching films about the other perspective but I would not watch this film just because it seems to promote more stereotypes rather than showing the complex multi-dimensional character that makes up any one person. Good post but I got to tell you I wouldn’t waste my time watching this.
Thanks or your review of the film. I watched it in the theater when it was released a few years back. I remember I really enjoyed it but reading your blog details of the film came back to me.Having some of my close family members in Law enforcement, I can appreciate their depiction of honorable cops. I think the comradery build between the two partners is accurate. I definitely have appreciation for anyone risking their life for a living. In the other hand, growing up in south central Los Angeles, I have also been a witness of harassment by law enforcement. I can also sympathize with gang members because in real life they are not one dimensional like in this film. They are real people that have faced real struggles which have led make wrong choices. Over all I get the film was suppose to shine a positive light on law enforcement. I thought it was clever that one the leading characters is Latino, so the Latino audience could relate.
Hello,
Like you, Andy, I did not think or see beyond the film. I figured it was another movie about cops and bad guys. I will need to watch it again and hopefully, this time, I can have a better understanding. I am glad we watched films in class and outside of class because some I would have never thought of watching or understanding. Thank you for providing a different perspective, Gerardo. Oh, and great post by the way.
Hello Vanesa,
The relationship that is built between partners in law enforcement is essential to their success and survival. This is the type of relationship that is one of a kind. Like you, I sympathize with those who are harassed by law enforcement on a daily basis. I can not imagine how difficult it is to be a law enforcement officer and feel threatened and afraid to lose my life daily. I believe community members who are harassed feel the same way as law enforcement. I think this type of miscommunication and confusion can be solved. We all need to work like to become educated and learn our rights. We all make bad choices, and all deserve second chances.
Thanks Irene i hope you enjoy the movie.
I enjoyed your review of this film. It’s so great to hear you recognizing the police for all the hard work that they do. At a time where there is so much anti-police rhetoric and it is “cool” to hate the police, I was pleasantly surprised to read positive opinions about this film. People need to remember that Police officers are just as human as me and you and they have a job to do. There are always bad apples in every career but you can’t judge an entire group of people based off other people’s actions. When you do that, you’re basically doing exactly what you don’t want people to do to you. There are a lot of Hispanic men and women in law enforcement and instead of praising these ones for overcoming the stereotypes and becoming successful in a career, these ones are put down and flipped off on a daily basis by thugs just like the ones in this movie. It’s a sad time in our country when you hear reports of officers getting shot daily. I am extremely supportive of law enforcement and I appreciated your review on this film. I’ve seen it before and they do a good job at showing what Police officers in East LA go through day to day and the bond that is built between them. Good blog post!
Great Blog! I love this film. Michael Pena and Jake Gyllenhals bromance is one for the ages. probably the best cop film I’ve seen. Michael Pena is awesome! The LAPD has never looked better on the silver screen. The jabs they take at each others cultures are classic, I cried at the end of this movie. America Ferrera is also part of the cast in this joint. The Latino officers were depicted respectfully and the camaraderie was there throughout the film. I can see the Latinidad and masculinidad in Hollywood scripts reading coming into play here for the Gangsters. I’m not sympathetic towards Criminals.However I don’t agree with the portrayal of the gangsters actions because they are a “stupid kind of bold.” Criminals are not always the smartest but these gang members were psychotic. That portrayal was my only hang-up in the movie. I really enjoyed your post.