Rampart (film)

Rampart is a 2011 American crime drama film directed by Oren Moverman and starring Woody Harrelson. The film is co-written by Moverman and James Ellroy, based on Ellroy's novel of the same name.

The film centers on Dave Brown (Harrelson), a corrupt and volatile Los Angeles police officer in 1999. Brown, a Vietnam War veteran, is caught on video brutally beating a suspect. This incident triggers a media frenzy and internal investigations, forcing Brown to confront his past actions and the changing landscape of law enforcement.

The narrative explores themes of police brutality, corruption, morality, and the psychological toll of violence. Rampart delves into Brown's relationships with his two ex-wives, sisters Barbara (Cynthia Nixon) and Catherine (Anne Heche), as well as his daughters and the various figures in his life who contribute to his escalating crisis. He finds himself increasingly isolated and paranoid as the pressure mounts from the district attorney's office and his own department.

The film features a supporting cast that includes Ice Cube, Sigourney Weaver, Ned Beatty, and Ben Foster. Rampart received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising Harrelson's performance but finding the film's plot and pacing uneven. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2011 and was released theatrically in February 2012.