End of Watch isn’t just your standard L.A. cop film. This movie was filmed in 22 days by a man who has pretty much dedicated his career to nailing this genre. He has yet to do it, but judging by the trailer for the film, David Ayer may finally achieve his goal!
First and foremost, Ayer chose to shoot this movie in the underside of Los Angeles. He wanted authenticity, not special effects. The neighborhood, though rough, was a familiar one to Ayer. He grew up only a few miles away and his wife and sister worked at, and were robbed at gunpoint at, a liquor store nearby.
No, Ayer hasn’t gotten his Los Angeles police drama right yet, but he has worked on films that were hugely successful. He was one of the writers who worked on The Fast and the Furious and he wrotethe script for Training Day. Unfortunately, Harsh Times and Street Kings, which fall into this genre and starred some pretty big celebrities, were flops. He owed millions rather than made millions when those two movies were said and done. After trying to explain why trying again was a terrible idea, Ayer realized why he had to do it. He put his fear aside, and cranked out End of Watch.
The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña and is way more than just your standard cop drama. The stars went through five months of training with LAPD, shot real guns, went on ride-alongs, saw real murder scenes and endured a controlled burn. All of this happened to ensure that the celebs would be able to channel into that thought process, lifestyle and real experience.
Check out the first trailer for End of Watch and let us know what you think. I personally plan on hitting the theaters as soon as it comes out on September 28!
Source: The New York Times