MovieChat Forums > Brooklyn's Finest (2010) Discussion > Gere's Character Made This Watchable

Gere's Character Made This Watchable

posted 14 years ago by calvertca
22 replies | jump to latest

I didn't connect at all with this film (despite a good performance by Hawke and an okay performance by Cheadle), but Richard Gere kept me glued to the screen. I think a lot of folks forget hat despite his plethora of romantic comedies, he has some serious acting chops when given the right material. He's done some good stuff recently, but I believe this might be he best.

I personally could have watched a more fleshed-out, entire film about Gere's character, with more explained about his career as a patrolmen, and his existence got so damn bleak. Anyone agree?

[–] interrogatemc 14 years ago

Spot on all the way. Cheadle's story was often silly. Hawke was pretty good but he's been in that role before. Gere was great and the story was great. At over two hours, I feel a lot was wasted on the more silly stories. Gere had all the drama.

[–] at7000-1 14 years ago

I did not really care for Hawke's acting in this particular film. I thought he did an adequate job in 'Training Day.' He was just so over the top in this performance. I would not want to be close than 20 to 30 feet form this guy. I'm not sure how he could have functioned at all as a cop, being that mentally messed up. I hope his character's house never got infested with bed-bugs or he would really go postal!!! Wood-mold and lack of square footage, sent him off the rails on a crazy train...

Hawke does strike me as a "one trick pony" actor.

In any case, do agree about the good acting saving this movie. I'd give it three out of four stars, mostly because of the acting.

Gere was great as you mentioned. However, the performance that really surprised me, was Wesley Snipes! I thought he was just a stupid "action guy" type actor. I had no clue at all that he had serious acting skills. He nailed the role perfectly.

Cheadle tried his best with the weak material. So all in all, a somewhat weak, cliched police movie, with some excellent acting and a few surprising moments. Definitely worth seeing.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Jakealope 14 years ago

I agree, he was the best actor and character of the three

[–] angie2911 14 years ago

Agreed. Richard really did a great job on this one. His was the most complex character, and I'd have liked to have learnt more about him.
I did think Ethan played a good part as well though, but not on par with Gere.

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=9430043

[–] Weeedub 14 years ago

Actaully, I feel the exact opposite. I'm usually a big fan of cop movies, but when this one was over I wanted my two hours back, alot because of Gere's character.
I just wasn't able to take him at all serious as a burnt out cop. Maybe thats's because he didn't get enough screentime, like you pointed out, but I just found his character and story to be boring and I felt like it didn't fit in with the rest of the movie.
It's cool to do the "three movies in one" thing, as long as each story gives the bigger picture some momentum, and Hawke's and Cheadle's did to some degree, but everytime Gere came on, I just wanted to fast forward.... I was like; "what's this s... got to do with anything.. blaaah" And It just ruined it for me..
So this movie WITH Gere's character in it gets a 4/10, and WITHOUT him (which would make it much more effective, and saved me a good thirty minutes) gets a 6/10
But that's just me though.

Never drive faster than your guardian angel can Fly

[–] Xcstacy 14 years ago

This is one of those cases where you must agree to disagree with others because like the OP I as well think that Gere's character was the most complex of the 3 and his performance was top notch. I really wish he had more screen time and a bigger story.

Also of the 3 main characters, his seemed to be the only one to change from beginning to end. Advancement of one's personal beliefs/stance in a character to me is what makes a movie worth watching(there are some rare cases) in the sense that I like my protagonist to not end up in the same place he began at the start of the film.

~XTC

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Noir-It-All 14 years ago

Gere is so damn good looking, you can't imagine that someone wouldn't have plucked him out of the bunch BEFORE he became a cop and offered him another career.

I loved Wesley in this, especially in his daylight scene with Don Cheadle. And, he looked really good, intelligent. "Yes, let's take a ride."

"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne

[–] rockblueengland 13 years ago

Gere's performance was sooooo bland n boring. best one was ethan hawke, should've got an oscar for it.

[–] bfreg 13 years ago

I got to go with Don C. He was the only one living a double life and walking the line of thug while still trying to be a cop. He lost his marriage and did time in jail assuming the role of Tango. As you saw on the roof top when he thought Cas was gonna toss the youngun off the roof, he was cocked and locked ready to stop him, but at the same time he really liked Cas. It takes a great duality to pull this off in undercover work, that in itself tell me it was cheadles character

[–] mario_023 13 years ago

I'm pretty much the exact opposite. I thought Gere's storyline wasn't very necessary and reminded me a little of Hartigan in Sin City. He was suicidal but didn't really show enough emotion. Plus the whole relationship with the prostitute was a litte dumb. I enjoyed the other 2 stories quite a bit

"The saddest thing in life is wasted talent." ~ A Bronx Tale (1993)

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] koffeenkreame41-1 13 years ago

Agreed.He's always great.

Though I could have done without watching him get a BJ.
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I thought Gere gave a great performance. Hawke & Cheadle were great too but Gere & Snipes nearly stole it. I was really excited to see all of my favorite actors in the same film. Wesley is a great actor, check out Blade, Rising Sun, Undisputed, King of New York, New Jack City, Jungle Fever, etc. He is a great dramatic actor. Gere on the other hand, gave a underrated performance, I really felt for the guy. I mean, he was a ghost, he had no one to live for, no one even noticed him for most of the movie. Hawke was great and Cheadle was excellent as always. Good film, pretty underrated.

"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit' me!" Hudson in Aliens.

[–] SausagePourVous 12 years ago

Hawke transformed and you felt his frustration,he became the character,Snipes suprisingly restrained,good acting,Cheadle was Cheadle with a few intense moments and Gere was Gere...charismatic but we always know what we get. His one role as a baddie is is his best in Internal affairs.