John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Snow White and the Huntsman, Saving Mr. Banks) wrote, directed and produced this strange film that in ways appears to be a parallel path between two law enforcement officers who have deep scars from their own performances in the line of duty.
The plot, loosely related - Joe 'Deke' Deacon (Denzel Washington), a burned-out Kern County, CA deputy sheriff, teams up with Jimmy Baxter (Rami Malek), a crack LASD detective, to catch Albert Sparma (Jared Leto), 'a serial killer.' Deke's keen sense for the "little things" proves accurate, but his willingness to circumvent the rules pushes Baxter into a frightening dilemma, while, Deke must wrestle with a dark secret from his past.
Washington, Malek, and Leto give fine performances, aided by some stand out support by Michael Hyatt (wholly credible in her role as a medical examiner bonded to Deke), Chris Bauer, Terry Kinney, Isabel Arraiza and more. There is a problem with the writing and the directing in that the storyline wanders and the impact of Deke's former actions that mirror Baxter's current obsession lessens as the film flows on: both beg for some tightening in execution. The concept is solid: the end result is flawed. Grady Harp.
The plot, loosely related - Joe 'Deke' Deacon (Denzel Washington), a burned-out Kern County, CA deputy sheriff, teams up with Jimmy Baxter (Rami Malek), a crack LASD detective, to catch Albert Sparma (Jared Leto), 'a serial killer.' Deke's keen sense for the "little things" proves accurate, but his willingness to circumvent the rules pushes Baxter into a frightening dilemma, while, Deke must wrestle with a dark secret from his past.
Washington, Malek, and Leto give fine performances, aided by some stand out support by Michael Hyatt (wholly credible in her role as a medical examiner bonded to Deke), Chris Bauer, Terry Kinney, Isabel Arraiza and more. There is a problem with the writing and the directing in that the storyline wanders and the impact of Deke's former actions that mirror Baxter's current obsession lessens as the film flows on: both beg for some tightening in execution. The concept is solid: the end result is flawed. Grady Harp.