Dark Blue – Review

Opening at 12:47 AM on March 3, 1991, Dark Blue hits with Rodney King chase and assault footage, setting a bleak backdrop for the film to come. While the story held within is not a ‘true to life’ tale, it takes place a year after the beating and during the trial for the officers, with the verdict about to come in.

Using this real-life event allows Dark Blue to dig into many cop related narratives and moral themes. As Eldon Perry (Russell) stirs restlessly in his hotel room, things seem bad. The trial verdict is about to come in, and the city is bubbling over with tension. He locks and loads a gun and we then flashback to five days earlier.

Daryl Orchard (Kurupt) and Gary Sidwell (Mihok) pull up to the Jack of Hearts convenience store with masks, guns, a joint and minimal brain cells. It’s about that time. The robbery is on as the men roll into the store, guns blazing. Still, something seems off with this targeted attack…

In front of a police review board, youngster cop Bobby Keough (Speedman) tells top brass members Arthur Holland (Rhames), James Barcomb (Banks) and company, that his shooting was justified. As unflinching Eldon Perry is paired with Bobby Keough, the two hit the scene of the robbery.

Dark Blue is a good cop flick with a great cast that brings it up a notch. The story is serviceable and uses true life racial turmoil well, mostly. I like the investigation aspects, and the drama, suspense, and moral dilemmas also provide plenty to enjoy.

Mileage will vary depending on how much you can handle a bunch of asshole cops, and some devious bad guys. You obviously want the officers to solve the violent crimes, but when they live recklessly, it’s hard to care about them. Rules apply differently to different people and when it comes to powerful bigoted guys with guns there will always be some tension.

While not above and beyond, Dark Blue covers plenty in its runtime and delivers complex yet entirely realistic characters. The crime plot is good and the mixture of its true story backdrop events give it a gritty and genuine feel. It may run a tad long and be an ugly look for law enforcement, but hit it up for the actors as they are worth it, especially Russell.