This is one of the realest movies I've ever seen about the NYPD. "Serpico" would be the first movie I'd recommend and this would be number two.
I'm sure you can tell by my opening statements where my sentiments lie with regards to the NYPD. They have enough hero stories to last a lifetime; two movies that besmirch their hallowed name shouldn't upset too many. Let me throw a third in the mix while I'm at it: "21 Bridges." This movie reminded me of the Chadwick Boseman starred "21 Bridges" at the beginning, then it took a different, grittier route.
"Pride and Glory" begins with four New York City police officers being shot and killed. The 31st precinct created a special task force to track down the killer(s). The 31st precinct had a family dynamic. Francis Tierney Sr. (Jon Voight) was the captain--or some such rank--of the precinct while his oldest son Francis, Jr. (Noah Emmerich) was an inspector and Ray Tierney (Edward Norton) was part of missing persons. Francis, Sr. Pretty much browbeat Ray into being on the special task force, and Ray would end up being perfect for the job; he was good and he was honest.
In very short order Ray found out that there was a group of dirty cops in the 31st. We, as the viewers were already aware of the four-man crew being led by Jimmy Egan (Colin Farrell), it was just a matter of what the task force or others would do once they found out.
I liked how intricate the movie was. It wasn't simply a group of rogue cops and a group of good cops, there were definitely levels and layers. The story played out very nicely, showing the incredible quagmire everyone was in because of the illegitimate actions of a few. PandG even showed the community impact of the actions of the NYPD as a whole. This movie was simply well done from the story to the acting. It was magnificent.
I'm sure you can tell by my opening statements where my sentiments lie with regards to the NYPD. They have enough hero stories to last a lifetime; two movies that besmirch their hallowed name shouldn't upset too many. Let me throw a third in the mix while I'm at it: "21 Bridges." This movie reminded me of the Chadwick Boseman starred "21 Bridges" at the beginning, then it took a different, grittier route.
"Pride and Glory" begins with four New York City police officers being shot and killed. The 31st precinct created a special task force to track down the killer(s). The 31st precinct had a family dynamic. Francis Tierney Sr. (Jon Voight) was the captain--or some such rank--of the precinct while his oldest son Francis, Jr. (Noah Emmerich) was an inspector and Ray Tierney (Edward Norton) was part of missing persons. Francis, Sr. Pretty much browbeat Ray into being on the special task force, and Ray would end up being perfect for the job; he was good and he was honest.
In very short order Ray found out that there was a group of dirty cops in the 31st. We, as the viewers were already aware of the four-man crew being led by Jimmy Egan (Colin Farrell), it was just a matter of what the task force or others would do once they found out.
I liked how intricate the movie was. It wasn't simply a group of rogue cops and a group of good cops, there were definitely levels and layers. The story played out very nicely, showing the incredible quagmire everyone was in because of the illegitimate actions of a few. PandG even showed the community impact of the actions of the NYPD as a whole. This movie was simply well done from the story to the acting. It was magnificent.