21 Bridges
Directed by: Brian Kirk
Runtime: 110 Boseman Bridge Minutes
I was having a conversation with someone recently. They were upset there were no more movie stars. I had to break some bad news to them, Chadwick Boseman is a movie star. 21 Bridges takes its lead and uses him to its full advantage. The title of the film refers to the number of bridges going in and out of Manhattan. A PR company could provide the synopsis. Chadwick Boseman shuts down the traffic to stop the bad guys. That’s the movie. And it’s so much fucking fun. Boseman is great.
The biggest flaw in the film is JK Simmons. When you see an actor of that stature you kind of know they ain’t “just a cop”. But the film provides that drama ahead of his presence. Really the best compliment you can give a film is JK Simmons. Watch him. Boseman’s character shoots people. He never shoots first, but gosh darn if there aren’t bad people in the world. In this film though, he listens. Evil people have a perspective and he nails it. This is exploited and contrasted against the white people who shoot for fun. Chadwick thinks.
I was never bored watching 21 Bridges. Chadwick Boseman is a charismatic actor. The film was produced by the Russo Brothers, who worked on Black Panther and two very successful Avengers films. You have people who know how things work. This film is pieced together by professionals. I got bored writing this review but a deadline forced my hand, it’s hard to write 500 words about a good and simple piece of cinema. I have an aversion to cops. This film doesn’t paint cops as heroes. I don’t idealise crime. The bad guys are bad guys. 21 Bridges is a good cop movie. It’s not too much of one thing or the other.
Chadwick Boseman is a movie star. He was before this film, and he will be after it. I recommend anyone who likes a “cop thriller” see this. Also, marvel (pun intended) at Boseman’s acting. And bask in some JK Simmons. The worst thing you can do to 21 Bridges is think too much about it. It’s probably the best crime thriller in a bit. You know who the good guys are, who the bad guys are, and you should shoot.
There’s a political sting to a film like 21 Bridges. ACAB? Valid. But 21 Bridges, bridges the gap between a film that criticizes established institutions and embraces the status quo: “cops are good”. Boseman breaks the rules that are broken and fixes the ones we need. Sometimes you want to switch your brain off. Sometimes that film involves cops, a done premise and Chadwick Boseman. If you can, take the one with Chadwick Boseman.
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