Dark Blue (2003)
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58% of critics liked it
(128 reviews) -
47% of users liked it
(13,091 ratings)
A cop's personal code of justice begins to change after a number of incidents lead his city to a tragic wave of violence in this police drama. Eldon Perry (Kurt Russell) is a veteran cop with the LAPD's Special Investigations unit, a man who isn't above bending the law if it means… More A cop's personal code of justice begins to change after a number of incidents lead his city to a tragic wave of violence in this police drama. Eldon Perry (Kurt Russell) is a veteran cop with the LAPD's Special Investigations unit, a man who isn't above bending the law if it means putting people behind bars who deserve the treatment. As Los Angeles waits on the verdict in the Rodney King police beating trial, Perry is presenting testimony to Assistant Chief of Police Arthur Holland (Ving Rhames), who is well aware of the corruption in the SIS unit and wants to stop it. Perry, however, twists some facts as he speaks in the defense of his new partner, Bobby Keough (Scott Speedman), who is being investigated for inappropriate use of deadly force. For lack of honest testimony, Keough is let off the hook, and soon he and Perry have a new case to investigate -- a robbery at a liquor store than turned into a quadruple homicide. Perry and Keough quickly track down two likely suspects, Orchard (Kurupt) and Sidwell (Dash Mihok), but Perry is surprised when the head of SIS, Van Meter (Brendan Gleeson), tells him to let Orchard and Sidwell go, and instead points the finger at two ex-cons who should be taken off the street, even though they're innocent of this crime. Perry follows Van Meter's orders, despite Keough's misgivings, but in the wake of the L.A. riots, Perry has a change of heart, and decides to start working with Holland against Van Meter's corrupt methods. In the midst of it all, Perry is trying to hold together his troubled marriage to Sally (Lolita Davidovich), while Keough finds himself romancing a fellow officer, Beth (Michael Michele). Dark Blue was adapted from an original screenplay by noted crime novelist James Ellroy; originally set against the backdrop of the 1965 Watts riots, the story was later updated to 1992. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ron Shelton
- Written By
- David Ayer
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Feb 21, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Distribution Company
Critic Reviews
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Russell is the reason to go to the theater. He will continue to hold your attention when things around him -- like the storyline -- lose steam and credibility.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Well worth recommending.
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Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
Fails to make the grade as either a gritty crime drama or an intriguing piece of historical relevance.
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Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Harrowing and compulsively watchable morality play.
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Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
The movie ends not with a bang but a wimp.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Kurt Russell
as Eldon Perry
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Brendan Gleeson
as Jack Van Meter
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Scott Speedman
as Bobby Keough
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Michael Michele
as Beth Williamson
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Ving Rhames
as Assistant Chief of Police Arthur Holland
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Lolita Davidovich
as Sally Perry
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Dash Mihok
as Gary Sidwell
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Kurupt
as Darryl Orchard
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Master P
as Maniac
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Khandi Alexander
as Janelle Holland
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Jonathan Banks
as James Barcomb
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Graham Beckel
as Peltz
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Eloy Casados
as Rico
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David Doty
as Judge Russo
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Nigel Gibbs
as Pastor Dennis
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Dana Lee
as Henry Kim
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Ted Marcoux
as J.R.
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Carmen Twillie
as Church Choir Singer
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William Utay
as Sapin
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Jim Cody Williams
as Suspect
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Monalisa Young
as Church Choir Singer
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Marin Hinkle
as Deena Schultz
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Alan Davidson
as Leon Taggert
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Tom Todoroff
as Police Dispatcher
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Peter Weireter
as Swat Leader
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Darrell Foster
as Sergeant Jakes
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Michael Bentt
as Officer Clay
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Wayne King
as Mr. Lewis
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Eddie Mui
as Lucky 7 Bartender
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Giovanni Guichard
as Rastas
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Jamison Jones
as Frank
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Gregg Miller
as Officer Charlie
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John Fadule
as Shooting Board Officer
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Chapman Russell Way
as Eldon Perry III
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Jim McChesney
as Lefty
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Faleolo Alailima
as Lucky 7 Bouncer
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Kaila Yu
as Lucky 7 Dancer
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Cheryl Reeves
as Nurse
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Keith MacKenzie
as Interrogation Officer
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Victor Prince II
as Metro Cop
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Heather Hutchins
as Stenographer
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Dorian Holley
as Church Choir Singer
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Kudisan Kai
as Church Choir Singer
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Julius Rizzotti
as New Lieutenant
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Jordy Oakland
as Waitress Tina
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Robert Tur
as Helicopter Reporter
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Eric Spillman
as Newscaster


