Brooklyn’s Finest (2009)

Elevator Pitch: This is a story about three policemen who don’t know each other, but all work in the projects in Brooklyn. Eddie Duggan is a uniformed policeman approaching retirement who likes to keep out of trouble. His apartment is a squat, he drinks a lot and his only social interaction is with a prostitute, Chantel,  who we see also services other policemen. Clarence Butler is a black under cover cop, who has taken on the persona of an overt drug dealer, driving a black BMW. He has a friend, Cas, who he has to set up in a sting if he is going to get a desk job. Sal Procida is a detective who has two children and a wife who is pregnant with twins. He is desperate to purchase a better house for his family and is prepared to steal drug money to do so. For once in his life Eddie acts positively, following a missing girl to a building in the projects where Clarence is also on a revenge kick, and Sal is chasing drug money. How will it all end?

Content: There is quite a bit of sex between Chantel and Eddie with nudity and also naked girls in nightclubs and more. A lot of drinking and drug taking. Eddie is sometimes out in the street with rookie cops who he can’t prevent from being overzealous. Sal takes part in drug raids where drug money is present, but is often frustrated in his attempts to steals some by the presence of his colleagues. Clarence as his alter-ego, Tango, frequents the environment where everyone carries hand guns sticking out of their pants, and argues with his handlers in secret meetings. 

A View: It is said that the $17 million cost of this production was made possible due to many of the cast taking a cut in their wages, and in the end it might have made a bit of money. It was moderately well thought of by everybody but was, according to the critics, limited by its somewhat clichéd script. That is probably true but even so, probably worth a watch if you like this sort of presentation.

Other American cop films which address the gritty environment in which they often work reviewed on this site include End of Watch, Den of Thieves and the incredible Training Day.