“CINEMA SATURDAY”
Netflix gets a lot of attention because they are still currently the ‘Adonis’ of streaming platforms. A good portion of their subscription revenue goes straight back into the company to create new and engaging content. With that, they’ve become a home for some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Mark Wahlberg for example, being at the height of a very successful career has made his way into a Netflix original titled Spenser Confidential. For the readers who have yet to see the film, here’s is what can be expected.
Spenser Confidential revolves around ‘cop turned convict’ Spenser, who has just been released from jail on a police brutality assault stint which also obviously meant the end of his career as a police officer.
Spenser Confidential revolves around ‘cop turned convict’ Spenser, who has just been released from jail on a police brutality assault stint which also obviously meant the end of his career as a police officer. Spenser plans to start his life over and leave Boston forever until two cops and former colleagues of his are killed. He then enlists the help of his temporary roommate ‘Hawk’ to help him uncover the truth, and possibly even discovering a bigger picture that could mean total vindication for his past indiscretion. This all may sound a bit dramatic, but Spenser Confidential is far from being a suspenseful film. The formula followed here is similar to that of the ‘buddy cop’ variety yet with having the two partners on the other side of the law. There’s plenty of action, plenty of laughs, but also plenty of emotion in this new original, and though for the most part it’s fairly straight forward, not everything is exactly what it seems.
The cast brought in to collaborate with Wahlberg consists of some of the best along with a few of the upcoming. Alan Arkin, who needs no introduction, plays the role of Henry. Henry’s character is the mentor of Spenser, and with Arkin playing him and of course being who he is, makes for much of the comedy relief which keeps the movie from taking itself too seriously. Hawk is played by Winston Duke, who as most should know, has been carving his way through some of the Marvel flicks of the last few years. Hawk’s character is a fun part of the mix and contributes to both the action and comedic tones that make up the film. Spenser’s ex-girlfriend is played by Iliza Shlesinger (she now has a new sketch show of her own) and she is an erratic mess that keeps the laughs coming. Driscoll is a detective on the other side of things, and played by the notorious Bokeem Woodbine. Woodbine has been burning up TV screens and cinemas for years now, so his presence in the film does not go unnoticed and makes for a nice twist as far as his involvement in the story goes. Spenser Confidential also added a couple of other interesting names into the production with the addition of popular musician Post Malone and record winning UFC fighter Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone. Casting for this movie was certainly not dull or close-minded when examining it all through a bigger lens.
Peter Berg directed Spenser Confidential, and with movies already under his belt such as Handcock, Lone Survivor, and even Battleship, one does not need to guess too hard on what the action scenes will be like. Berg has certainly diversified himself over the years however, so it’s refreshing to see that this movie isn’t too similar to everything he’s done but at the same it’s not too dissimilar either. Berg and Wahlberg have already teamed up multiple times to make movies like this and yet they seem still able to keep getting the budgets for making more. Regardless of personal opinions about the two, they must be doing something right.
