not for kids
Dark, intense drama about violent, corrupt cop.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Rampart is a very intense character study about a corrupt Los Angeles police officer. When his beating of a motorist is caught on video, it's a catalyst for his long, slow downfall -- a process that includes several scenes of violence, with the cop beating up or shooting bad guys. He also sleeps with several women over the course of the movie (though no graphic nudity is shown), and language is very strong and almost constant. Plus, the main character drinks and smokes constantly and even illegally obtains prescription drugs from a pharmacy. Director Oren Moverman also helmed The Messenger, which was one of the most acclaimed movies of 2009, but Rampart is much more intense.
- Families can talk about Rampart's violence. Every time the main character does something violent, he finds a way to justify it. Is there such a thing as justified violence? Does the main character's violence ever contribute to anything good?
- Though the movie shows very little nudity, there are a lot of sexual situations. What's the difference between nudity and a sexual situation? Do intimacy or trust enter into this equation? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values on these topics.
- The character drinks a lot of alcohol. Are the consequences of his drinking realistic?
The good stuff
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Messages: Focusing intensely on one character, the movie tells of a life gone wrong, with violent mistakes and destructive behavior adding up to loneliness and alienation. The movie's ambiguity yields no indication of redemption or consequences.
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Role models: The main character -- a violent, shady cop -- commits violence against those he believes are "bad guys," tries to steal money, drinks, smokes, and has sex with many women. Though his life becomes increasingly difficult and lonely and some kind of retribution seems to be around the corner (either good or bad), there are no real consequences here for his many wrongs.
What to watch for
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Violence: A motorist accidentally crashes into a cop car; the cop then repeatedly kicks and pummels the man with his nightstick (the scene is captured on video and shown again on television). The same cop also (briefly) beats up a suspect in an interrogation room, shoots a man during a robbery, and bashes a man in a wheelchair with his car door. A man has a heart attack. The main character's nickname is "Date Rape Dave" due to the fact that he once killed a serial rapist. In addition to these incidents, there's a general feeling of simmering anger throughout the movie.
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Sex: The main character has a busy sex life. He sleeps with three women during the course of the movie. Though there's no full-on graphic nudity (the main character's behind is briefly on view), the scenes are highly suggestive, with moaning sounds, naked legs, and toe sucking. It's also revealed that he has married two sisters, consecutively, and had a daughter with each of them; at the movie's start, all five of them are living together under the same roof, and the cop quietly asks each of the sisters for sex (and/or cuddling) while at the dinner table, though they both refuse.
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Language: Very strong, almost constant language, with just about every word imaginable: "f--k" and all its permutations, "s--t" and all its permutations, "c--k," "p---y," "t-ts," "d--k," "ass," "bitch," "twat," and "goddamn," plus the "N" word and several other racial slurs, like "wetback." The word "c--t" is shown as part of an art collage.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Though it seems to be the least of his troubles, the main character constantly smokes cigarettes and drinks a great deal. He drinks mostly martinis, at home and in bars, but by the movie's end, he drinks hard liquor in his squad car while on the job. He also shakes down a pharmacist in exchange for prescription drugs. He wakes up with a hangover in one scene, and his daughters discover him drunk in a hotel room. Also, a teen girl is seen smoking a cigarette.
Fan Reviews provided by
2
Wait till DVD! by DanesFandango
I wouldn't go see this in the theater and I would probably hesitate renting it later. The movie was not very good. I was disappointed and it had an all star cast which disappointed me even farther. The ending was perhaps the weakest part, kind of a fill in the blank on your own??? Woody Harrelson was extremely good in the movie, a good acting job but the movie itself could've and should've been a WHOLE lot better.
2
Rampart - Good acting but little else by sld007
Woody was great, as was Anne Heche, Ice Cube, etc. but the plot was nonexistent and the ending made no sense. Might of helped if I had dropped acid because who ever directed this film was most assuredly high when he/she put it together. JUST PLAIN WEIRD!!!
3
Compelling Performance, Good Watch by North Alabama
Woody Harrelson gives an outstanding performance of a dirty cop who has no regrets, until he has regrets, and, of course, it's too late. The story moves along, so it isn't boring, and the rest of the cast shows up to the challenge. It's not the break out hit of the spring, but it's definitely worth a view.
1
This movie sucked by ray340
I would not recommend anyone wasting a dime to see this movie, it really sucked. Should of gotten my money back.
3
Rampart by Peneflix
Woody Harrelson, as "Date Rape Dave" gives an exhilarating performance as a cop gone rogue; playing by his own rules in 1999 Los Angeles (reminiscent of the 1991 Rodney King brutal beating by Los Angeles police officers). Dave is living in a world that, because of cell phones, instant videoing, is plummeting into the archaic. He has been married twice to sisters, (Cynthia Nixon, Anne Heche) fathering a daughter with each; residing in a guest house, their stifling proximity breeding toxicity...
"Rampart" is negligent in answering salient questions; serves an above- average entree, sans dessert, leaving a residual of an unsatisfying, unappetizing "cop out".
TWO & 1/2 STARS!!
***For full review please visit peneflix.com
4
Bad Lieutenant II by Baah Ben
If you saw the movie with Harvey Keitel, this one is very, very similar. Bad cop gets worse and worse. The plot is thin, but Woody is excellent. If you like him, I sday it's worth the $7 and two hours of your time.
1
Bonamigo by Bonamigo
worthless movie that went on to long, boring, and ended when the producers ran out of money.
Defiantly not worth the money. What a rip off!
5
Rampart Rules by Steviec54
Really liked the movie. Woody Harrelson was money. Starts out well and then kind of gets lost but no big deal. Worth the price of an evening flick. Harrelson should get some kind of award for his performance in this.
5
Woody Harrelson At His Best... by Dennis in Oregon
This is an excellent film. Woody Harrelson, often uinderestimated by critics, provides a strong, memorable performance.