1. You Cannot Take Your Eyes Off Of Woody Harrelson
Aside from Casey Affleck's rookie cop, Woody Harrelson's Sergeant Detective Jeffrey Allen is the only other character with any notable honesty or integrity. It seems that in Atlanta most of the cops are dirty and though Harrelson's Allen could probably do with a good scrub he is pretty clean, morally speaking anyway. That's not to say he isn't without his foibles. Allen is the archetypal cynical detective, all drugs and drink and world-weary rants. Harrelson relishes in the part, making Allen equal parts drug-addled fool and wise, old-guard detective. He is well liked and respected by his peers, protects his family and has his scruples, which puts him a cut and above the rest of the ensemble. Which means we can at least forgive him when he smokes crack with a prostitute. Harrelson is clearly having a ball with the part, and this makes him a joy to watch. Though the real depth is in the smaller moments, when Allen is spouting about everyone carrying guns, or depressed in his flat surrounded by empty bottles and drug paraphernalia. This is where the performance shines and Harrelson gives the part real pathos. You can hear the sadness in his voice of a man who has been crushed by circumstance. Harrelson is a different kind of dirty cop, and effortlessly makes the character appealing. He brings to mind Nicholas Cage in Bad Lieutenant...but more loveable, and his performance is just another reason Triple 9 is worth your time.
Have you seen Triple 9? What did you think? Let us know in the comments.