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A police film set in Los Angeles. Bob Hodges has worked in the gang unit for years. His method is simple: know the neighbourhood, know the names, talk, and make as few arrests as possible. He is close to retirement. He is given a new partner. Danny is young, impatient and believes in direct intervention. Their methods clash from the first day. The film follows the tension between two rival gangs. One killing brings another and the unit stays a step behind the events. The matter at the centre is what policing is: Hodges argues for building relationships, Danny for deterrence, and each turns out to be partly right. Danny also has a personal line; he starts seeing a woman from the neighbourhood, and the relationship ties him to both sides. It was filmed in real neighbourhoods. The crew met local groups during the shoot and some of the extras were chosen from there. The production caused argument on release; disturbances in cinemas were reported in some cities and it was debated whether the film encouraged gang violence. Robert Duvall plays Hodges, Sean Penn plays Danny and María Conchita Alonso the woman. Dennis Hopper directed. A solid production for anyone who likes the police films of the 1980s and stories about cities. Before you watch, know this: the film shows violence directly and clears nobody.