RAMPART directed by Oren Moverman, written by Moverman and James Ellroy, with Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster and Robin Wright. 108 minutes. An eOne release. Opens Friday (February 24). For venues and times, see Movies. Rating: NNN
Director Oren Moverman has Woody Harrelson’s number. The actor scored an Oscar nom for his role in Moverman’s The Messenger, and he’s riveting, too, as Dave Brown, a dirty cop who’s being set up by his department to deflect media attention from a scandal.
Maybe. The film is so confusing, it’s hard to know if Dave is getting shafted or sinking into the depths of paranoia maybe the higher-ups (Sigourney Weaver, Steve Buscemi) are just trying to get him under control.
But if you’re into acting chops, Rampart’s got it going on. Alongside Harrelson, there are great performances by Ben Foster as a street person who knows too much, Brie Larson as Dave’s alienated daughter and Robin Wright as a lawyer who may be in on the conspiracy.
If there is one.
