A Bond Stronger Than Bullets - End of Watch Analysis

End of Watch (2012) is a film where we follow two LAPD officers Brian Taylor played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Mike Zavala played by Michael Peña as they patrol one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in central Los Angles.

End of Watch (2012)

Their dedication to protecting the community as well as each other know no bounds often leading them into breaking the rules and deadly encounters with local gangs and criminals.

The strongest theme prevalent throughout End of Watch is that of brotherhood, this is shown right from the opening scene where the two officers are involved in a deadly shootout, afterwards we shown the two checking up on each other and a moment where they slap each others arms in the way many friends do.

Another way this sense brotherhood is shown is when Brian Taylor is introducing himself to his film class Project in the change-rooms of the police station.

He pulls his patrol partner (Mike Zavala) into frame and attempting to introduce him to the camera. This may seem like two mates mucking around but when you look deeper you begin to realise this scene holds a lot of power in establishing this close friendship and brotherly bond. Firstly the change-room is an intimate setting and a strong insight into someones life, the audience can see this further when the two begin to give each other a hard time by the look and organisation of their lockers Mike comparing Brians to a 'girls' locker.

End of Watch (2012)

Apart from just seeing the two at work throughout the whole film we gain a further insight into the characters lives by seeing them outside of work and how their friendship stretches into their personal life. The two are a large part of each others lives Brian is always receiving relationship and life advice from Mike and Brian giving Mike 'shit' about how he had it easy when it come to love.

The audience also sees how Brian is always getting invited to Mike's families events showing that the two have an extremely strong bond and that Brian is 'apart of the family.' Furthermore when Brian finds a girl [Jennet] who he thinks is the 'one' he takes her to a Quinceañera hosted for one of Mike's close family members. This is like Brian taking a girl home to meet his parents, he is seeking Mike's approval of this new girlfriend, in fact this is solidified when Mike's girlfriend Gabby says 'I like her Brian.' showing that she has gained the approval of the group.

End of Watch (2012)

This tight bond between the two characters is often reflected by the positioning of the audience, the tight and intimate angles are showing that the two have grown to look out for each other and put it all on the line for each other as well as being able to see how physically close the two are as friends always having each others back.

For me a line that sums the film up perfectly is after the two went into a burning building to save trapped kids inside and Brian said to Mike 'I don't think I can go into another burning building... I only did because you did.' (End of watch, 2012) Brian was afraid for his life but he continued to run into a burning building because his partner did, demonstrating that he will do anything to insure his partner is alright and that he will always have his back even when he's not around.

Thank you for reading!

Andrew Petropoulos.

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Sources:

Image - Movie poster:

Lesher, J. (Producer), & Ayer, D. (Director). (2012). End of Watch [Motion Picture]. United States: Open Road Films

Image - Locke room scene:

Lesher, J. (Producer), & Ayer, D. (Director). (2012). End of Watch [Motion Picture]. United States: Open Road Films

Image - Quinceañera:

Lesher, J. (Producer), & Ayer, D. (Director). (2012). End of Watch [Motion Picture]. United States: Open Road Films