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:

Lapd | Police | Riot | Robbery | News Footage

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Kurt Russell	...	Eldon Perry
Scott Speedman	...	Bobby Keough
Michael Michele	...	Beth Williamson
Brendan Gleeson	...	Jack Van Meter
Ving Rhames	...	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 | South Korea:18 | 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:

The script was set in the midst of the 1960s Watts Riots. James Ellroy updated the original story in 1992 after the request of producer Caldecot Chubb for budgetary reasons but asked that his name not be used to promote the movie after he had seen it.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Many vehicles that weren't around until long after 1992 are clearly visible in most exterior scenes.

Quotes:

Det. Sgt. Eldon Perry Jr.: The choke hold saved lives, but, ah, nobody ever got elected saying that, I suppose.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Blue Code (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Wild Thing

L.A.P.D. Blues

This movie was shown recently on cable and based on the different names involved with the making of it, I decided to take a look. The film was directed by Ron Shelton, a good director, although he is not associated with the action genre. Also, the picture is based on a James Elroy story with a screen play by David Ayer, who also wrote "Training Day".

Basically, we are taken back to Los Angeles during the dark days of the street uprisings that follow the Rodney King verdict in the early 90s. We are presented a cast of characters in the L.A.P.D. that are so corrupt, one wonders how can it possible serve the citizens of that city.

Of course, there are decent folks that work in that department, as it's demonstrated by Arthur Holland, the black official that wants to get rid of the bad cops in it. As played with dignity by Ving Rhames, this man's job is not going to be easy because there are so many corrupt higher ups that will not let him get to the bottom of what's wrong, that he must do it on his own.

Kurt Russell plays Edon Perry, one of the most interesting roles in his career. Granted, he seems to be a little old for it, but he is believable as the man that has stooped so low, but knows he is protected by the higher ups. Elson is a frustrated man who comes to the realization that he is no one in the larger schemes of things and will be eliminated by the same master he has served so well.

Brendan Gleeson plays the evil Jack Van Meter. He controls with an iron fist what goes on under him. He is a study in evil doing; this man will betray his own protegees when it's not convenient to be associated with them. Scott Speedsman, Michael Michelle and Lolita Davidovich round up the cast.