The Rip — Affleck and Damon Bring the Miami Heat

The Rip

English - Crime / Action
113 mins
Netflix

Inspite of being one of Cinema’s longest standing friendships and creative associations, there have been very occasions when they have actually starred together. Last seen in the biographical “Air”, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon team up again to cowrite and star in “The Rip”.

Lt Dane Dumars (Matt Damon) and Sgt. Byrne (Ben Affleck) are senior members of the TNT (Tactical Narcotics Team) division of Miami - Dade Police. The unit is under investigation due to the death of their captain (and friend) Jackie Velez. Dumars receives a tip about a significant cash stash at an address in the Hispanic county of Hialeah.

Dumar's team knocks and are met by Desi who is the caretaker of this, her grandmother’s home. The team discovers $20 million cash hidden in the attic, revealed to belong to the cartel. As the night unfolds, motives are revealed, loyalties fray as Dumar’s and Byrne’s egos clash. One wants to do the right thing and the other sees an opportunity.

Time is short, they have to act before the find is reported up the chain and before they are hunted down by the owners of the money, the Cartel.

Director Joe Carnahan creates a very watchable movie with the plot and staging similar to an 80/90’s police heist. The action is sparse and restricted towards the last third, but the movie still succeeds in keeping the viewer on a string.

The Cinematography is very well done. Majority of the movie is shot in the dark, with a special mention to a tense and well shot sequence inside an armored truck.

The Rip does not cover any new ground, but the tight screenplay, the performances by Damon and Affleck, along with their chemistry, with a smooth reveal keep the movie flowing smoothly. If you like short thrillers about corrupt cops, you would probably enjoy this.