Rampart is the kind of movie that unfailingly gets
respectful reviews and Oscar nominations and it’s the kind of movie I’m
incapable of being impressed by, because it wasn’t made out of a love of cinema
but a need – (on the part of screenwriters, directors and actors) – to appear
righteous, which rubs me as either arrogant or at least condescending. Since there’s no shortage of gritty movies
that are all about the miserable little lives common folk lead, it hardly seems
brave that someone’s made yet another one.
Yes, Woody Harrelson gives a great performance, and yes, we’re all aware
that racism and police corruption and whatnot are bad. But anyone who claims to care about film
should demand that films be cinematic rather than merely indignant. The tyranny of good taste is no less
patronizing just because the social agenda may be valid. Aside from an impressive supporting cast –
(Ben Foster, Ned Beatty, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Buscemi, among others) – and
sporadic interesting camerawork, everything plays out pretty much exactly as
you imagine it would. Anyway, it’s a
good movie, filled with fine Oscar-worthy acting and a timely message, if
that’s what you want from a film.
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