In a word...overlong

Rating: 6/10 (1 April 2018)

DETROIT is another mildly disappointing movie from director Kathryn Bigelow, much the same as ZERO DARK THIRTY. These films share a complex backdrop and a rather simplistic and straightforward main story which is unable to support their bloated running time. They're not a part on THE HURT LOCKER. This film is taut with suspense in the scene involving the cops and the black guys in the hotel foyer, but the rest is merely dragged out. We don't need an hour or more of back story before the main incident takes place. The script is middling and fails to make any of the characters on either side very distinctive, and the emphasis in the advertising given to John Bogeya's superficial and minor role is a surprise. The black characters are sympathetic but they're given very little to work with other than to be victimised, although the actors including Anthony Mackie are fine. Hannah Murray has more to work with as a prostitute caught up in the incident, but the real stand-out is the excellent Will Poulter as the racist cop. His is one of the performances of the year, and a pity the rest of the film can't match.