Exploring what it’s like to be a black cop in conflict, especially in the #BlackLivesMatter era, has become popular fodder for filmmakers. But while it’s an interesting topic to pursue, the films that have dared to do so have been unsatisfying.
“Monsters and Men” struggled with determining a resolution, “Black and Blue” pivoted to a humdrum action saga and now director Brian Kirk’s new film, “21 Bridges,” also struggles to find its voice in the conversation.
Written by Adam Mervis and Matthew Michael Carnahan (“Dark Waters”), the New York City-set “21 Bridges” actually tries, but ultimately fails, to examine issues that extend beyond its heroic policeman Andre Davis (Chadwick Boseman), who’s known among his unit as the go-to officer when you need to take down a cop killer.