One Long Day from 2010 is a crime drama centered around three childhood friends who take drastically different paths in life. The movie revolves around these three characters facing their past and trying to make amends. The movie opens with a dramatic car chase as a gritty, low-angle camera captures the high-speed pursuit. The chase eventually ends in a drug bust, and one of the friends, Dean Mauro's character, Detective Anthony Vatticini, is hailed as a hero.
However, Anthony's past soon catches up to him. He is confronted by his two childhood friends, played by Chris Schaub (Sal) and Rob Marrocco (Louie). Sal and Louie have grown up to be drug dealers and they have information about a drug ring that threatens to expose Anthony's corrupt police department. Anthony is stuck between his loyalty to the police department and his friendship with Sal and Louie.
The movie's narrative structure is cleverly done, showing flashbacks to the characters' childhood alongside their current struggles. It is easy to understand how they came to this point in their respective lives. Anthony's father was a corrupt detective, and he sees himself fighting against his father's legacy. Sal and Louie came from impoverished backgrounds, and the illegal trade was their ticket out of poverty.
One of the movie's strengths is the performance of the three leads. Dean Mauro plays Anthony with the right amount of stoicism, emotional turmoil, and vulnerability. Chris Schaub brings nuance to Sal's character, portraying him as someone who never wanted to end up a drug dealer, but was forced into it by circumstance. Rob Marrocco, as Louie, delivers a standout performance, providing humor and levity to the overall dark tone of the movie.
The movie's themes of loyalty, redemption, and the cycle of violence are all intertwined. Anthony finds himself indebted to Sal and Louie, but he also sees their criminal acts as a form of betrayal to their shared past. Sal and Louie, on the other hand, believe that they are doing what they need to do to survive, and view Anthony's life as one of false ideals.
The movie has a slow burn pace, giving ample time for each character's motivations and struggles to develop. During the film's runtime, the questions arise - will Anthony choose loyalty to his police department or loyalty to his friends? Will Sal and Louie ever get out of their illegal trade? How did their friendship end up so fractured?
The movie's cinematography is also noteworthy, with seemingly simplistic shots that are both visually stunning and open to interpretation. The score is appropriately melancholic, with the piano being a prevalent instrument, underscoring the film's dark themes.
Overall, One Long Day from 2010 is a well-crafted character-driven crime drama that tells a poignant and layered story about three childhood friends. It delivers a realistic portrayal of urban crime and corruption without glorifying it. The movie's strength lies in its ability to make the audience care about the characters, despite their questionable choices. The ending is satisfying, giving closure to the characters' internal struggles and the movie's overall themes.
