It feels like a ride-along in South Central L.A. The product of months of actual ride-alongs, the performances of Jake Gyllenhaal as Brian and Michael Peña as Mike in "End of Watch" have the feeling of the true article. Writer / director David Ayer (who wrote "Training Day") establishes that realism with footage from dash board police cruiser cameras, hand-held phone videos, and undercover cameras, an intimacy that extends even to the shots of the bad guys they deal with. I think it's one of Gyllenhaal's best performances, and Peña is truly outstanding in this story of two partners who share a dangerous job and are fast friends. Anna Kendrick does her usual wonderful job as Brians' girl friend, and America Ferrera nails a tough female cop role. It's a really good film marred by an unfortunately un-catchy title.
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