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Pride and Glory (R, 2008)

common sense media says

Mature crooked-cop drama is no Departed.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this police drama tackles mature themes that aren't likely to appeal to younger viewers. Older teens familiar with stars Colin Farrell and Edward Norton may be interested, but this is definitely a parents'-night-out pick. There's hard-R language (including "f--k" and its derivatives) and realistic violence that includes multiple shoot-outs and execution-style murders, a suicide, a baby's life put in jeopardy, and a substantial amount of blood. The sex is limited to married couples kissing and embracing and one quick glimpse of a moaning drug dealer and his girlfriend. Drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol are prevalent.

Positive messages: The film's main themes revolve around moral ambiguity, criminal justice, family loyalty, and greed. All of the gangsters portrayed in the movie are Hispanic, while nearly all of the cops are white, but this isn't inaccurate considering the New York neighborhood where the action takes place. A cop calls Spanish "that monkey language."
Violence: Violence is realistic and bloody. Dead bodies are shown lying in pools of blood; people are shot execution style; blood splatter is visible on windows and on the ground; a character commits suicide by shooting himself; two characters have a bloody fist fight; someone is beaten to death; a character threatens to disfigure/kill an infant; and more.
Sex: Couples kiss and embrace; a drug dealer seems to have sex with his girlfriend in front of other people.
Language: Strong and frequent language, most notably "f--k" and its derivatives. Other frequently used words include "a--hole," "bitch," and "s--t." Spanish speakers should be aware that there are also plenty of unsubtitled vulgarities in scenes featuring the gangsters.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drug dealing is a major part of the story, so there are a couple of quick glimpses of characters using drugs; several characters smoke and drink heavily in bars or elsewhere; one man is portrayed as a borderline alcoholic.
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More on Pride and Glory

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the characters' various moral dilemmas. The men were stuck between loyalty to their brothers in blue -- not to mention their actual family -- and their duty to serve and protect. Even unethical characters aren't completely villainous. What motivated Jimmy and his crew to become corrupt? What do you think would have happened if Ray had made a different decision? How is this movie similar to other cop dramas? Do you think this kind of movie needs to include strong violence to be seen as realistic? Why or why not?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In PRIDE AND GLORY, Edward Norton plays Ray Tierney, a conflicted, second-generation NYPD officer whose older brother Frannie (Noah Emmerich) and brother-in-law Jimmy (Colin Farrell) are also among New York City's Finest. When a suspicious shoot-out leaves four officers in Frannie and Jimmy's precinct dead, Ray reluctantly agrees to join a task force to investigate the murders. What he discovers, much to his high-ranking father's (Jon Voight) horror, is that Jimmy and his station's cronies sell their services and protection to the highest-paying thugs on the streets they patrol.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
While much of the story is predictable, the movie is saved by the performances, especially Norton's and Emmerich's. And Farrell is alternately nuanced and over-the-top but ultimately excels as the shady, unrepentant Jimmy. Unfortunately, things get bogged down by the personal subplots involving the women in the cops' lives, especially the unresolved relationship between Ray and his estranged wife, Tasha (Carmen Ejogo). Jennifer Ehle, who's a brilliant, underrated actress reminiscent of a younger Meryl Streep, does her best as Frannie's cancer-stricken wife, but essentially, the women are one-dimensional.

The most realistic aspect of director Gavin O'Connor's story is how seamlessly he integrated the Dominican gang culture of New York's Washington Heights into the picture. The soundtrack features several songs by popular Latino rappers and Reggaeton stars; the Spanish-speaking characters are actually played by native speakers who can spit out streams of colloquialisms without taking a breath. Granted, it might still be considered un-PC to depict a community as full of gun-toting dealers, but at least O'Connor paid attention to the neighborhood. But that sliver of authenticity can't make up for the fact that this is an overlong crime drama that takes itself too seriously and obviously aims for the heights of Martin Scorsese's The Departed but falls somewhere slightly below the mark of We Own the Night.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: New Line
Director: Gavin O'Connor
Cast: Colin Farrell, Edward Norton, Noah Emmerich
Genre: Drama
Run time: 125 minutes
Theatrical release: October 24, 2008
DVD release: January 27, 2009
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong violence, pervasive language and brief drug content.
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This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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grizmaster1981
adult
 
We should change it to "no Kids"
It is a good movie but if you are gonna prohibit swearing in your house DON'T let your kids watch this movie until you are prepared to hear them curse this movie has enough f-bombs to rival the power of Mt St Helens. And there is a lot of other bad words in the film too. I guarantee you if you let a kid watch this they will be saying f--- in no time.
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thejokerspencil
parent of and 3 , 11 , 12 , 17 year old
15
 
Corny Drama is No Where Near Departed
please skip this
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