D.C. MOVIE GUYS

Citizens rarely think deeply about the amount of trust we place in the men and women who protect us. Policing takes a terrible emotional toll, not to mention the physical risk the job requires. Over the years, the emotional strain of dealing with the worst behavior humans can display while trying to keep your own sanity and humanity intact has informed and enriched thousands of novels and movies. James Elroy has be acclaimed as a master of the genre, in books and movies such as “L.A. Confidential” and “Blood On The Moon.” Based on an original story by Elroy, the new film “Street Kings” takes us down the sun washed streets of Los Angeles on a dark and dangerous journey into the heart of a troubled city and its “blue knights.”

Keanu Reeves stars as Detective Tom Ludlow. A longtime member of the Special Vice unit, he’s the attack the unit’s captain (Forest Whitaker) sends out when a case is particularly tough and it’s likely some rough stuff will crack things open. When the Internal Affairs unit begins looking into Ludlow’s past and the squad’s
overall record. suspicion falls on Ludlow’s former partner as an informant.

When the ex-partner is shot during an armed robbery in a store where Ludlow is also present, Whitaker’s Captain Wander swears he’ll protect Tom from suspicion in the shooting. Transfered to uniform duty while things cool down, Ludlow begins his own investigation into the seemingly random shooting, pulling free a loose thread that threatens to unravel nearly everyone’s life.

James Elroy and co-screenwriter Kurt Wimmer clearly know the territory as they take us on a journey where nothing and no one is exactly who or what they seem to be. As in “L.A. Confidential,” Ellroy displays a true craftsman’s touch for examining and exposing the boiling mix of race, politics and power that seems to drive life in the City of Angeles, particularly among the police.

Director David Ayer builds the movie’s pace slowly and deliberately, giving viewers a chance to get a grip on who the players are before the game changes before their eyes. Once the action elements kick in, the movie begins to race towards its surprisingly effective ending.

While Keanu Reeves seems to lack the requisite edge to fully embody Ludlow-Russell Crowe or a younger James Woods would possess the right intensity-he manages to strike a tone in his acting that draws and holds your interest. Whitaker is strong as Wander, Tom’s mentor and dark conscience. His work, like the movie itself, builds in intensity. Quality supporting work is done by Hugh (“House”) Laurie, Jay Mohr and Cedric “the Entertainer.” Only some holes in the script’s third act that will likely become apparent after the credits role keep the movie from being truly outstanding.

Gritty, tough and often gripping, “Street Kings” doesn’t totally take the crown-but it’s no pretender, either.

MPAA RATING: R for profanity, drug content and sometimes graphic violence.

JOE’S RATING:THREE STARS.