As a former law enforcement officer with over two decades of service under my belt, I can attest to the profound impact of Jody Hill’s “Observe and Report” on my perspective of the police force. Coming from someone who has spent years working alongside officers, this film struck a nerve that resonated deeply within me.
The portrayal of Detective Harrison, played masterfully by Ray Liotta, was particularly unsettling in its accuracy. The casual brutality, disregard for due process, and callous treatment of citizens are all too familiar sights in the world of law enforcement. It’s a side of policing that is often hidden from public view, yet it’s an essential piece of understanding the complexities of the job.
What sets “Observe and Report” apart from other police-themed films is its unapologetic examination of the darker aspects of power dynamics within the force. The film doesn’t shy away from showing the consequences of excessive force, corruption, and the blurred lines between heroism and vigilantism. It’s a stark reminder that, while there are many dedicated officers out there who truly do protect and serve their communities, there are also those who abuse their power and betray the very principles they swore to uphold.
The film’s ending, in which Ronnie is hailed as a hero for his use of excessive force, serves as a chilling commentary on the culture of violence that permeates law enforcement. It’s a reminder that, even when we see abuses of power, they often go unpunished and are instead celebrated by those in positions of authority.
In light of recent events, it seems that “Observe and Report” was far ahead of its time. As someone who has spent years navigating the complexities of the police force, I can say with confidence that this film is more relevant today than ever before. The Segway may have run out of juice, but the issues explored in “Observe and Report” are still very much alive.
On a lighter note, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony of Ronnie’s character arc: from mall security guard to heroic police officer, all while barely understanding the job he was doing. I guess you could say he went from being a “mall cop” to a “cop on the mall.
In Jody Hill’s film, Observe and Report, the climactic scene unfolds at an abandoned mall. The police, armed with weapons, storm the location, not because of a shooter or any immediate threat of violence. Instead, they are responding to a former security guard who had returned after hours. The character played by Seth Rogen, Ronnie Barnhardt, may be boastful and self-centered, but he poses no real danger with only a flashlight in hand. Despite this, the police, ignoring his connection to law enforcement as a “brother of the badge,” relentlessly pursue and assault him. Even when he’s knocked unconscious, they continue their attack. Shockingly, no one steps in to help Ronnie, and no one seems to care about his plight.
As a movie reviewer, I’d rephrase it like this: In “Observe and Report,” the humor veers towards the politically incorrect of the late 00’s, with crude jokes, stereotypical accents, and a heated exchange between Seth Rogen and Aziz Ansari that might make you cringe. However, this film wasn’t truly a comedy. If you try to categorize it between the sentimental humor of Judd Apatow and the macho humor of Todd Phillips, you’ll come up empty-handed. This 2009 movie was an unusual piece in its time, a gritty, somewhat hostile film that questioned our growing police state and challenged the myth of meritocracy in America. Unlike many films of the era, which were drenched in excessive sincerity and respect for American institutions, this film showed no inclination to uphold the status quo or gloss over the flaws within our criminal justice system. (It’s a sentiment that feels particularly relevant today.)
The film “Observe and Report” centers around the character Ronnie Barnhardt, a security guard who views his shopping mall as his domain and considers his coworkers and shoppers as adversaries. Upon its release 15 years ago, it was perceived as a bleak portrayal of the pervasiveness of copaganda, post-9/11 Islamophobia, and American masculinity’s self-deception. Critics found it unappealing. Manohla Dargis of the New York Times began her review by stating, “If you thought Abu Ghraib was a laughing matter, then you might enjoy Observe and Report.” The movie’s date-rape scene between Rogen’s Ronnie and his longtime crush, Brandi (played by Anna Faris), was heavily criticized. This scene showcases Ronnie’s arrogance at its worst, and the decision to include it in a red-band trailer raised eyebrows. Some critics accused Hill of pretentiousness for referencing Sam Peckinpah, Martin Scorsese, and “Taxi Driver” as the film’s inspirations (this was before Brad Pitt’s “Joker” controversy). The box office performance of “Observe and Report” paled in comparison to the success of “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” which had been released a few months prior. For years, it was not available on streaming services. After that, Jody Hill did not direct another feature film for almost a decade, focusing instead on television series like “Eastbound & Down” and “Vice Principals,” which he created with recurring collaborators Danny McBride and David Gordon Green. In 2018, he released “The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter” through Netflix.
80 days post the inauguration of President Obama, the film “Observe and Report” premiered, symbolizing a tribute to public service. Prior to his swearing-in on January 20th, Obama had addressed Americans as “the descendants of that initial group of patriots who refused to yield when everything seemed impossible.” First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden organized a concert for military personnel and their families, encouraging youngsters to volunteer. The inauguration’s theme, “A New Birth of Freedom,” derived from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, aimed to highlight unity, camaraderie, and national identity. Service represented the American spirit, and being an American signified service. Dissent, especially from those less eager to wholeheartedly celebrate America, was scarce during Obama’s tenure, and this sentiment extended to entertainment as well, often giving the impression of “Be optimistic or face the consequences.” The dominant message was about teamwork, positivity, and inclusivity, which was either sincere (giving opportunities to creators of color) or calculated (companies using representation as a financial decision rather than a moral choice). Content that challenged this ideology, particularly in addressing ongoing domestic economic struggles, social discord, and internationally-approved violence, wasn’t generally welcomed.
Despite some ongoing discrepancies with Obamacare, the following events unfolded: George Clooney portrayed a morally questionable Democrat running for president in “The Ides of March,” while Matt Damon and John Krasinski depicted the detrimental effects of oil companies on small towns in “Promised Land.” Lupe Fiasco criticized Obama for his involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, labeling him a “terrorist,” only to perform at an inauguration party two years later and be removed after performing a song with lyrics questioning the truthfulness of those in power. The cartoon by Sam Wallman about female drone operators gained popularity following the release of “Zero Dark Thirty” and a profile in “The Daily Beast” celebrating women in the military. Lastly, Andrew Dominik’s “Killing Them Softly,” which initially failed commercially but has since become a cult classic for its scathing final speech, in which Brad Pitt’s character criticizes the American Dream and Obama’s role as its protector, stating that “America is not a country; it’s just a business. Now pay me.
These dissenting voices were often dismissed as insignificant due to their unconventional nature, but when a major studio produced comedy like “Observe and Report,” starring Seth Rogen, challenged America’s cultural norms such as the portrayal of guns, romance, and national identity, it left both critics and audiences unsure about how to react. The film’s explicit content (nudity, drug use, violence) was a critique of our morally ambiguous era rather than an endorsement, and while it showed empathy towards the protagonist’s mental health struggles, it also expressed frustration with his misguided hero complex derived from his badge and gun. The mall setting, popularized in pop culture at the time, served as a symbol of this cultural examination.
As a former law enforcement officer with over two decades of service, I have witnessed firsthand the complexities and challenges faced by police officers on a daily basis. However, after viewing “Observe and Report,” I was left feeling deeply disturbed and disillusioned by its portrayal of the police force. The film seems to make a deliberate effort to challenge traditional storytelling norms, and it certainly achieves that goal in its comprehensive distrust of the police.
The character of Detective Harrison is particularly troubling, as he consistently demonstrates a blatant disregard for human decency towards Ronnie, a character who may be an idiot but still deserves basic respect and dignity. The scenes depicting Detective Harrison’s behavior toward Ronnie, such as berating him, insulting him, and ordering his colleagues to attack him, are difficult to watch and serve only to further erode any semblance of trust in the police.
The film’s portrayal of the police as a tribalist force that exerts dominance over citizens and faces no consequences for their actions is not only unrealistic but also harmful. It does a disservice to the many officers who work tirelessly to protect and serve their communities with integrity and professionalism.
I believe that films like “Observe and Report” have a responsibility to portray the police in a more nuanced and balanced manner, one that acknowledges both the challenges faced by officers and the importance of upholding the values of fairness, justice, and respect for all citizens. In my experience, the vast majority of law enforcement officers strive to do just that every day, and it’s important that their efforts are recognized and celebrated rather than being portrayed as uniformly corrupt and abusive.
In the lead-up to its release, Seth Rogen’s film “Observe and Report” was not easily labeled as a comedy by its director, Jody Hill. Instead, he described it as a drama that contained humor, acknowledging its somber moments that were genuinely sad, not comically so. Despite disagreements with Warner Brothers about making Ronnie more likable, Hill praised the studio for their support of unconventional films like Zack Snyder’s “Watchmen” adaptation.
The film’s ending provides context for these statements. After enduring a brutal physical and moral assault from his town’s police force, Ronnie successfully apprehends a mall flasher who had been terrorizing women shoppers and employees. In defiance of the shopping center rules, Ronnie carries a gun at the mall and shoots the man with it. Rogen portrays Ronnie as triumphant upon depositing the flasher in Harrison’s custody and accepting praise for the capture.
In the final scene of “Observe and Report,” Ronnie regains his job, finds a girlfriend, and earns positive coverage from local media. His use of excessive force secures him everything he desires, including respect from the police, who had previously rejected him. This in-universe ending is joyful, but it presents a bleak reality outside of it, highlighting the codependent infatuation America has with those who wield violence to preserve power hierarchies.
As a former law enforcement officer with over two decades of service, I can attest to the fact that the role of police has evolved significantly over the years. When I started my career, I believed in the idealistic notion that our job was to protect and serve, ensuring safety and justice for all citizens. However, in recent times, it seems that the phrase “Observe and Report” has become more prevalent than “Protect and Serve.”
I remember a time when stepping forward, speaking up, and trusting in the system felt like the right thing to do – it was an essential part of making our communities safer and working towards a better tomorrow. I recall the inspiration we drew from characters like Paul Blart, who embodied the spirit of community policing and selfless service.
But as I reflect on my experiences now, fifteen years later, I can’t help but feel that the energy and optimism that once fueled us have faded. The Segway has run out of juice, so to speak – the enthusiasm and drive that propelled us towards a brighter future seem to have waned. It’s disheartening to see how far we’ve strayed from our original mission, and I worry about the direction our profession is headed in.
I believe that it’s crucial for law enforcement officers to reconnect with our roots and remember why we chose this path in the first place: to make a positive difference in our communities and ensure the safety and well-being of those we serve. We must work tirelessly to regain the trust and respect of the public, and strive to uphold the ideals that once made us proud. Only then can we truly be heist-stopping, hostage-saving heroes for our communities.
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2024-12-30 16:55