Set in 1999 Los Angeles, veteran police officer Dave Brown, the last of the renegade cops, works to take care of his family, and struggles for his own survival.
Compelling certainly, but could’ve been ever better.
Moverman’s plummeting psychological profile shows great taste but poor judgement – the wonderful cast and convincing plot sacrificed in service of the exceptional Harrelson.
A familiar story oddly presented, but with a powerful central performance from Woody Harrelson.
Oren Moverman’s storytelling is hazy and sometimes hysterical but Harrelson is magnificent.
It’s more character study than compelling story and I’m afraid Harrelson’s cop is a posturing bore, hard to care about or be fascinated by.
Rampart is a gripping movie, and a great addition to the Ellroy canon.
Darkly riveting.
Rampart might be a worthy attempt to probe the banality of evil, but after an hour and a half of its near-unvarying gruesomeness, it’s the film that starts to feel decidedly banal.
As Dave’s complex family life and soul-sickening past deeds start taking their psychological toll, the film gradually changes from another Bad Lieutenant-esque trip into insanity to a more meditative film about the cost of crossing the line to get the job done.
In the end this is like Dave's police work: lots of energy, not much discipline.
A pity the story isn't quite so provocative. Move along, nothing to see here.
Harrelson is riveting, and Moverman’s gaze is unflinching.
Apart from occasional high-intensity moments, Rampart is surprisingly downbeat – like a leisurely gondola ride through a moral sewer. You can take that as a recommendation, mostly.
It confirms Harrelson's position as one of the best, most ambitious, least self-regarding actors at work today, and by the end he's compelled us to understand Brown and accord him a grudging respect.
A pointless bore.
What is left to enjoy is Harrelson at his edgiest, surrounded by a cast, which includes Ned Beatty beside Buscemi and Weaver, similarly revelling in cutting loose.
Though offering one of the more accomplished performances of his career, it fails to hide the gaps in this weak portrayal of jagged rebel life.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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