As a storytelling device, the Gyllenhaal character is making a documentary of his daily existence on the beat and this lends to the documentary feel of the film. There is constant, shaky hand-held camera footage that adds excitement, tension and realism to the picture.
The two partners are also best friends off duty and there are touching scenes of them in their home lives as their wives learn to deal with the constant danger in their occupations. There are pregnancies which obviously helps make us care for these characters and value their lives even more.
The film itself is action-packed and barely lets the viewer catch his or her breath in between the shootings and various investigations.
Mixed in with the action scenes are scenes of camaraderie between the two cops as they drive around in their cruiser sharing life stories and anecdotes. At other times they are playing practical jokes in the station. Scenes such as these also helps to build the characters and turn them into human beings instead of cinematic stereotypes.
Eventually the two partners find themselves in dangerous predicaments that truly test their intelligence and survival instincts.
In a year of great films, "End of Watch" is an underrated gem and should be considered as a strong film from 2012.
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