We all have responsibilities to the people we love. Whether it is the daily phone call, fixing dinner, or household chores, there are certain things our loved ones expect of us. For some people, those expectations are radically different, i.e. coming home alive.
Matt (Matt Brewbaker) and his partner Danny (Dylan Norden) are narcotics officers. They spend their days on the streets, working to take down dangerous drug dealers. In the process, they deal with all manner of dangerous people and situations. Matt is really beginning to feel the pressure of time spent away from his family and about the very real possibility that he may not be able to return to them at the end of the day.
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The most impressive part of this whole film was an extensively choreographed gunfight scene that takes place in a public plaza. Putting together an action scene – especially one in a public location – is certainly challenging, and I commend these filmmakers for doing it so well. I would be interested to know a bit more about the logistics involved – police, permits, etc – as this information could prove quite useful to other filmmakers attempting something similar.
The closing credits mention several police officers, including an undercover consultant. This was certainly a wise choice, in order to give the film an element of realism.
However, I did have a few logical concerns about a couple of situations in the film. In one particular drug deal, Matt and Danny are alone, driving around in a car, with no backup. Yet, in the two particular drug deals that open and close the film, both officers appear to be surrounded by a lot of backup. In addition, they don’t seem to be making too much effort to conceal themselves, other than being dressed in plainclothes. In another scene – which takes place at night – one backup officer is standing under a light behind a gas pump taking photographs and really sticks out like a sore thumb. In the final scene – which leads to the aforementioned gunfight – several men of approximately the same age take seats in and around the plaza. These men simply sit down, look around, and act suspiciously. While it is understandable that they want to remain alert in case anything should happen, they would certainly stick out to a potential drug dealer, and possibly put them on edge. It might be more convincing to have a couple reading a book or newspaper, talking on a cell phone, or eating lunch, just to make themselves blend in a little bit more.
Since it had to have been painfully obvious that the area was relatively well-covered by poorly-concealed undercover police officers, it is surprising that a drug dealer would then choose to pull a gun and initiate a fire fight in such a circumstance. If they consulted with an experienced police officer about these issues, as the credits suggest, then I invite the filmmakers to take the above suggestions with a grain of salt; just be aware that a viewing audience might also bring them up as well.
