End of Watch

End of Watch: Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña shine in this absorbing cop drama from writer-director David Ayer (Harsh Times). They play Los Angeles police officers who go above and beyond the call of duty, and sometimes bend the rules just a little bit. Their willingness to put their necks on the line eventually leads to trouble with a drug cartel, and their lives are threatened. Gyllenhaal and Peña make for a great screen duo. The movie is often very funny simply because of the way they interact. Ayer uses the old “cops videotaping themselves on the job” gimmick a little bit, but it never becomes too distracting. He also fills his movie with great action and chase sequences. The movie is a shocker in many ways, and truly makes you think about what cops go through on a daily basis. Nice supporting performances from Anna Kendrick and America Ferrera.