FamilyFans Movies

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PRIDE AND GLORY (R)

Plot Summary: A New York police detective investigates the murder of four officers – and realizes he is investigating members of his own family.

Reason for the Rating: Strong violence, pervasive language and brief drug content.

Can you say intense? And I don’t mean just “edge of your seat” intense, but “cover your eyes and let out an audible gasp” intense. Pride and Glory is a movie that is intricate and powerful, but isn’t going to leave you wanting more. It’s just…intense.

Pride and Glory tells the story of a family of police officers. Francis Tierney, Sr (Jon Voight) is a retired police chief, while sons Francis, Jr. (Noah Emmerich), Ray (Edward Norton), and son-in-law Jimmy (Colin Farrell) are currently employed by the NYPD. This is a family who appears to have it all together, and to do it all together. They play together, work together, and support each other through life-threatening sickness and divorce. A family we all could envy.

Shortly after the movie begins, a call comes in that four officers have been gunned down in the line of duty. All four men were part of Jimmy’s unit, and he is devastated. Ray is called on to investigate the murders, and what he finds is unbelievable. As he searches, talks to witnesses, and puts the pieces together, it seems that all fingers point to someone in Jimmy’s unit. And, as we find out, it is Jimmy himself who unwittingly sent these four men to their deaths while performing a favor for a drug dealer. His corruption and lawlessness run deep, and he sees nothing wrong with what he and his friends are doing.

While the storyline itself is complicated, it’s still a predictable movie of policemen who work outside the law for their own gain. We’ve seen these types recently in The Departed and American Gangster. But this look into corruption is new. This isn’t Internal Affairs against corrupt officer, or even cop vs. cop. This is brother against brother. Friend against friend. They say the truth will set you free, but is that true when it will ruin the lives of your sister and her children? What do you do when the right thing is the hardest thing? These are all questions Ray must face.

What is interesting, is that you can see a direct consequence for every action taken by each character. Conversations between Francis, Jr. and his wife, Abby (Jennifer Ehle) cause a specific action to be taken. Jimmy making threats toward a gangster’s family are the impetus for a battle that effects the future of everyone involved. An innocent phone call creates a storm that seems to have no end. This is a movie in which you can see that every action has a definite reaction.

The performances given by Edward Norton and Colin Farrell are superb. Farrell is remarkable as a man hardened by the corruption he sees everyday, a man who is astonishingly cruel to others, yet tender and gentle with those he loves. It is his performance that will leave you gasping in disbelief.

FAMILYFANS RECOMMENDS:

Due to the language and violent nature of this movie, this is not a movie for young children or even younger teens. If this is the kind of movie you enjoy, go with a friend, your spouse, or adult child, but leave the young ones at home.

AFTER THE SHOW:

• At one point, Ray says to Francis, “When we were kids, all we ever talked about was being cops.” What is a dream you had as a child that never materialized? Explain.

• Ray realizes that the only way to make the situation right is to expose the corruption, yet the officers involved are willing to fight to keep this from happening. How is this like us and our sin? What happens when we are willing to expose it to the light?

• Have you ever had to make an unpopular decision? Tell about it, and how you came to your decision.

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