Movie Review: The Sweeney (2012)

Movie Review: The Sweeney (2012)

Note:  This review contains SPOILERS for the end of the movie.

Jack Regan (Ray Winstone) is the field leader of an elite police unit nicknamed “the Sweeney.”  They’re a “Flying Squad” (mobile unit not tied to a specific location) of armed police, specializing in battling armed robbery gangs.  Unlike most British police officers the Sweeney carries firearms, but the officers are perfectly happy to use baseball bats, 2x4s, or just their fists to beat down suspects.

Regan’s boss Superintendent Haskins (Damian Lewis) appreciates the results, but isn’t too keen on the multiple property damage suits, allegations of excessive force, and the fact that some loot went missing after the last bust.  That last thing has sparked an Internal Affairs investigation.  This could damage the career of Regan’s protege, Sergeant George Carter (Ben Drew).

Regan is distracted from a tip about a possible bank job by a jewelry store robbery, notable for the deliberate and totally unnecessary murder of a customer.  The M.O. convinces Regan that an old enemy is back in town, but he may be being lead down the garden path….

This movie is based on a 1970s British television series, notable for being violent even by American standards.  The modernization features a more diverse cast, and some use of technology, and Regan is portrayed as even more thuggish than the original.

And that’s one of the problems with the movie.  Regan is a horrible person.  He’s sexist, brutal, foul-mouthed, corrupt, and is carrying on an affair with a subordinate, who is also the wife of an Internal Affairs officer.   But the story frames him as the hero, and the IA officer as a villain, despite the latter being completely in the right (and unaware of the affair.)  The only time Regan seems even temporarily chastened by the many people calling him out is when Carter takes him to task for demanding loyalty.  Carter then goes on to prove his total loyalty to Regan,  he just wants to make clear that it’s voluntary.

There’s lots of foul language, quite a bit of brutal violence, and a couple of unappetizing sexual scenes–this is an R-rated movie for a reason.

The plot is also full of holes, and the acting is subpar compared to what we’ve seen from these performers elsewhere.  I do not recommend this movie.

And now, SPOILERS for the ending.  Stop reading if for some reason you want to be surprised.

So, Regan has been a horrible person all through the movie, his disregard for rules and proper procedure resulting in massive property damage, denigration of police reputation, numerous injuries, and the death of his mistress.  Relatively innocent suspects (they were, in fact, going to a barbecue) have been beaten to no good end.  He’s gone way off the reservation, including acting as a vigilante while suspended from duty.

By sheer bloody-mindedness and the aid of Carter, Regan finally manages to catch the actual mastermind behind the robberies.  At the end of the movie, he’s restored to head of the Sweeney, all charges dropped, and the IA man can only stand fuming as Regan drives off triumphantly.    It’s framed as a happy ending, but comes off more as a jerk getting away with everything.