Rampart

Rampart is an intense and gritty crime drama set in 1999 Los Angeles. Unflinchingly raw, this film exposes a brutal reality of police corruption, presenting a deeply humanistic standpoint on the crumbling moral framework within the institution of law enforcement. Guided by a standout performance from Woody Harrelson, the film seamlessly blends elements of action, suspense, and drama into a blistering narrative.

The film revolves around the central character, Dave Brown, a tough and unapologetic Los Angeles police officer played masterfully by Woody Harrelson. He is deeply rooted in the corrupted infrastructure of the Los Angeles Police Department and personifies the problem while teetering on the brink of personal and professional ruin. His relentless approach and questionable tactics have helped thrive in the ambiguities of the system, making him the focal point of the police department’s rampant misconduct.

As the embodiment of old school law enforcement mentality in rapidly changing times, Brown personifies the abrasive resistance to the transformative adjustments facing the LAPD. However, when he is pulled up for his brutal methods, caught on tape beating a suspect, a scandal ensues. In the face of public outrage and internal investigations, he engages in a desperate bid to maintain his position and lifestyle, slipping ever-further into his own irrational paranoia.

Harrelson provides a riveting performance as Dave Brown, portraying a controversial character marked by his hardboiled personality and occasional hint of vulnerability. This is a man who compulsively lives by his own rules, straddling the moral divide between protector and predator with disturbing ease. Beneath his hardened exterior, he battles an array of personal issues, including relationships with his two ex-wives, portrayed by Anne Heche and Cynthia Nixon, who happen to be sisters living together.

Supporting performances from a star-studded ensemble cast including Sigourney Weaver, Ben Foster, and Robin Wright accentuate the relentless narrative of Rampart. Weaver excels as a cool-headed assistant district attorney overseeing the investigation into Brown's behavior, and her character delivers a sober counterpoint to Harrelson’s erratic Dave Brown. Ben Foster’s tortured homeless man provides further depth and empathy to the film's compelling narrative, while Robin Wright’s portrayal of a problematic defense attorney adds layers to the plot’s intrigue.

Directed by Oren Moverman, who co-wrote the screenplay with James Ellroy, Rampart leverages the simmering 90s LA backdrop with a raw, almost visceral approach that adds a high level of credence to this powerful cinematic experience. Moverman's keen eye for detail and his commitment to authenticity is apparent throughout the film. The director maintains an effective balance, avoiding the pitfalls of the genre and the risk of being overly sensational, presenting us instead with a dark and gritty portrayal of a cop spiraling out of control.

From its grim and unsettling narrative to its stellar performances, Rampart is a potent portrayal of a flawed institution through the lens of one of its most flawed officers. It strikes hard with its harsh representation of police corruption and the all-consuming struggle for power and control. On the level of performances, it’s one of Harrelson’s best, plunging into the depths of a character that is immensely unlikable yet intriguingly complex.

While the intense plot may be hard to stomach at times, the convincing performances, intelligent direction, and layered screenplay ensure that viewers are kept riveted throughout. Rampart is not solely a movie about corrupt cops and the consequences that follow their exposure. It is, at its core, a character study; a devastating portrait of a man — a cop, a father, an ex-husband, a human being — warped by his vision of justice gone astray.

In conclusion, Rampart is a profound exploration of a rotting law enforcement system challenging the viewer with its raw, atmospheric storytelling. It revels in its authentic representation of a fraught era in the LAPD's history, while providing an intense acting masterclass led by Woody Harrelson's imposing presence. This film is recommended for audiences seeking an uncompromising look at corruption and the human cost of unchecked power.