Rampart [DVD]

Another movie about a cop being bad but thinking he is doing the right thing. Based around a real event, the 'Rampart Scandal' - which I was unfamiliar with and the film didn't really make it clear what the scandal was all about - Woody Harrelson plays 'Daterape' Dave Brown who is the type of cop the authorities want to seen thrown off the force. He wanders about the place looking forlorn, tries to outsmart the lawyers by being cleverer than them, and has an unconventional home life where he seems to live with his two ex-wives (who might have been sisters) and his two daughters - one from each wife.

The movie is rather vague and noirish in the way it tells the story of Dave's descent into oblivion. It was scripted by James Ellroy whose own books deal with a similar theme but are far superior to this movie. For me it had a similar feel to 'Driven' in the rather loose story telling format but it ultimately felt hollow and without substance.

Woody Harrelson plays a cop from LAPD, Rampart is where he is stationed,he is known as Date Rape Dave,reason is that rumor has it that he killed a serial rapist.
Officer Dave Brown has his own brand of punishment with people who break the law,Dave has many ways about him that make him a very unpleasant person to know he also has very little regard for correct procedure within his job.
Dave's life takes a massive change when he is hit in the side while out on patrol,the person who smashed into him takes flight so Dave gives chase when he catches him Dave then beats him senseless,the only thing is Dave has no idea that it is being filmed,Dave is then on the downward spiral.
Dave has two wives which are both his x's and they are sisters, they each have a child with him 2 girls,the eldest girl is just always on the move doing her thing like all teenagers,the younger one is trying to see the best in her dad.Dave is one of them guys that just loves women he has many women in this film he also smokes and drinks alot,i was surprised that he could be that nimble on his feet smoking that amount.
Dave is protected by people where he is based not sure why they want to protect him as he is a loose canon and really needs to be towed in but he keeps getting away with it all,it would not happen in real life.Whilst Dave's life is in turmoil and falling apart at the seams he appears as a miss guided fool of a copper he does some very strange things he toys with ending his life then changes his mind.
I really am not impressed with this film but i do like Harrelson that is why i thought i would take a look at this,the character that he plays is dark and devious and really not at all nice,i believe Harrelson could have the pick of scripts and a better film,i believe he does not do himself justice in this film not one bit.

First I have to admit I am a big fan of Woody Harrelson and respect the diversity of the films he has contributed to but this is an odd one. I nearly went to see this at the Cinema and am quite glad I didn't, mainly because I know my wife would not have lasted the distance. It is a character study of an unpleasant cop Dave Brown who's life unravels after he is filmed beating a motorist. The things I do like about the film is the way it plays with racism. Dave is branded a racist for the attack after a motorist crashes into his car and tries to flee but you get the feeling the motorist would have got a beating whatever colour he was. Dave has a black Chief who seems to respect him and is happy to sleep with a black woman he picks up in a bar. This is left unresolved as are many other threads in the film. I am all for untidy endings but this just seems to run out of steam. The fact I do want to know more is a testament to Harrelson who is excellent even managing to give a deeply unpleasant character some humanity. The supporting cast are under used but solid and the pace is quite slow. If you are into action thrillers this will not be your sort of film but if you like films that make you think this could be for you.