The New Centurions: Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do Working the Beat in ’72
Sooner or later there will be a film recommendation from 3-time MovieSlap Red Carpet VIP @jswriter65 that I don’t care for. But in the words of Djimon Hounsou’s character near the end of Gladiator (2000), “…not yet…not yet.” The New Centurions does not disappoint.
The New Centurions (1972) has a really interesting structure to it. You are introduced to the main characters, one a veteran beat cop, “Kilvinski” played by the great George C. Scott, and his partner, a newer recruit portrayed by Stacy Keach. Keach’s “Roy” is not only on the force, but also attending law school, while attempting to balance family life – unsuccessfully, for the most part. Personally I found it fascinating to ride along with the duo back in 1970s East Los Angeles, as they attempt to protect and serve.
We meet a diverse slice of the city’s crime scene, including prostitution, robbery, and the occasional domestic dispute. For a 1972 film, there are actually some pretty progressive elements to the narrative, particularly when Roy and Kilvinski are clued in to presence of racial discrimination and injustice. In addition to Roy, there are a couple of other newer fresh-faced officers that we meet and follow on the night watch: “Gus” (astute fans of The Walking Dead may recognize this much younger version of Scott Wilson, who played “Herschel” on the popular AMC series) and “Sergio” (Erik Estrada of CHiPs fame), who are getting their proverbial sea legs, as they too tackle crime in East LA. Each of them is integral to the overall story,
Without giving anything away, I loved the raw feel of The New Centurions. You are not held by the hand, as some films tend to do these days, and nothing is held back in terms of the narrative. We see the manner in which these officers interact with the community, but more importantly, we see the many ways in which the job impacts them, and the various rewards and repercussions that come along with that. I found myself doing a lot of processing during these two hours, which is always a good sign that I’m connecting with a movie. I found myself deeply caring about the characters, to the degree that I felt invested in their respective arcs, all the way to the conclusion of the film. In conclusion, I’ll just say that I’m really glad I saw it.
On a side note, we have another couple recommendations from Mr @JSWriter65, so we’ll see if his streak continues, or if we get a chance to completely crap on one of his suggestions. Stay tuned! :)
Score: 8.9/10
Starring: George C. Scott, Stacy Keach, Jane Alexander, and Scott Wilson
Suggested By: @JSWriter65
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