Watch the Exclusive Interview by special contributor, Christina Roz with the Cast and Filmmakers of “Gangland”
Film Review by Marcus Blake
Gangland starring Lou Diamond Phillips is a movie that deserves your attention! You may not hear much about it due to a limited theatrical release and the fact that it will mostly be a online digital rental, but it is worth seeing. This is a gritty crime drama what’s fantastic character development that draws you into a town with dark secrets and showcase some great action. This story could have easily been another season of True Detective and for me this is where Lou Diamond Phillips really gets to shine as an actor playing a hard-nosed police officer trying to do the right thing. I admit, I’ve been a big fan of his since I was a kid. I grew up with the Young Gun movies, of course Stand and Deliver is one of the best teacher movies, and who can forget La Bamba! I think he’s at his best when he gets to play the hero, even a cynical one. But he’s not the only cast member that shines. Dana Namerode and Elisha Pratt truly make this movie better with their performances.
The story is about a Native American convict who returns home after a prison stint then ignites a gang war and starts exposing the town’s dark secrets. He sends the main characters on a journey that can only end one way. It’s the exposing of these dark secrets that really drives the movie as Lou’s cynical cop must confront his own past, while training a rookie, and stop what was inevitable. Basically, it’s a story that forces a once good cop to get off his ass and do the right thing. Those kinds of stories are always good. However, my favorite part of the story and what leads to the great character development is taking the audience into the dark abyss that is not only honest, but haunting, and speaks a lot of truth to what can happen with bad guys and predators in tribal towns that are often ignored. The story is incredibly realistic and very much a performance driven movie that makes it better and worth seeing. Even if you only watch it once, it’s worth your time. The dark tone and the way the movie was shot easily draws you into this gritty crime story. They use the color tone and cinematography, as well as the action very well to make a good film.
While it may not be a perfect movie and sometimes plays like a two-part episode of a really good series, It’s still a good movie and better than I thought it would be. I could have easily seen this storyline play out in an episode of Longmire which also stared Lou Diamond Phillips, and if you’ve never checked out that show, watch it because Lou is absolutely great in it. His portrayal of Henry Sanding Bear is one of my favorites in a TV series. Its also one of the most underrated shows on a streaming channel. My biggest complaint is we don’t get enough time with the characters and the story. As a critic, I’m always arguing that some stories are better as a series, and some are better for movies. I like this movie, but I almost wish it was a series so we can really explore these characters more, even a limited series. What I’m saying is we don’t get to spend enough time with the story or the characters and they’re great characters; there’s so many stories that can be told with them and that world. Although, the movie does a great job in telling a great and concise story, but it leaves you wanting more.
The great thing about a series is you get time to know the characters over multiple episodes whereas you don’t get as much time in a movie and unfortunately that’s one of the films biggest weaknesses. This isn’t to say it isn’t a good story, but I would have liked to have seen more. However, that is a testament to the writer and director for crafting the story that leaves you wanting more. So many times, we watch movies that are very unforgettable or they’re a good one-timer. Gangland is not that kind of story. Now there’s plenty of things I can talk about that would spoil the movie and I won’t do that…you’ll just have to watch it. But despite any minor criticisms, I stand by what I said at the beginning of this review…this movie deserves your attention and his worth watching, not only for the story, but the great performances. This is one of Lou Diamond Phillips’ best performances and if you’re a fan of his, definitely check out Gangland.
