21 Bridges

{{Short description|2019 American action thriller film by Brian Kirk}}

{{Infobox film

| name = 21 Bridges

| image = 21BridgesPoster.jpeg

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Brian Kirk

| producer = {{Plainlist|

| screenplay = {{Plainlist|

Adam Mervis
Matthew Michael Carnahan}}

| story = Adam Mervis

| starring = {{plainlist|

}}

| music = {{Plainlist|

Henry Jackman
Alex Belcher}}

| cinematography = Paul Cameron

| editing = Tim Murrell

| studio = {{Plainlist|

MWM Studios
H. Brothers
AGBO
X-Ception Content

}}

| distributor = STXfilms

| released = {{film date|2019|11|22}}

| runtime = 100 minutes{{cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/21-bridges-2019|title=21 Bridges|publisher=British Board of Film Classification|access-date=September 28, 2019|archive-date=September 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928043302/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/21-bridges-2019|url-status=dead}}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $33 million

| gross = $49.9 million{{Cite web |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt8688634/ |title= 21 Bridges (2019) |website= Box Office Mojo |access-date= March 8, 2020 |archive-date= November 23, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191123080330/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt8688634/ |url-status= live }}

}}

21 Bridges is a 2019 American action-thriller film directed by Brian Kirk and written by Adam Mervis & Matthew Michael Carnahan. The film stars Chadwick Boseman as an NYPD Detective who shuts down the 21 river crossings of Manhattan to find two suspected cop killers, portrayed by Stephan James and Taylor Kitsch. Sienna Miller, Keith David and J. K. Simmons appear in supporting roles. The film was produced by brothers Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, Mike Larocca, Robert Simonds, Gigi Pritzker, Boseman (in his only producing credit) and Logan Coles. It was also Boseman's final theatrical film before his death in August 2020. Boseman's last two films Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom were released on Netflix.

The project was announced as 17 Bridges in July 2018. Principal photography began on September 24, 2018, in New York City, primarily Brooklyn and also took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web|url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/chadwick-boseman-21-bridges-film-philadelphia-name-change-17-bridges/|title=Chadwick Boseman explains why '21 Bridges', which filmed all over Philly, changed its name|last=Hermann|first=Adam|website=PhillyVoice|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925054629/https://www.phillyvoice.com/chadwick-boseman-21-bridges-film-philadelphia-name-change-17-bridges/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2019-05-17|title=NYC What's Filming: Feature Film '21 Bridges' Starring Chadwick Boseman and Sienna Miller|url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/21-bridges-starring-chadwick-boseman-sienna-miller-whats-filming-68143/|access-date=2020-10-03|website=www.backstage.com|language=en|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016121659/https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/21-bridges-starring-chadwick-boseman-sienna-miller-whats-filming-68143/|url-status=live}} Several members of the cast joined the film in October 2018, including James and David.

21 Bridges was theatrically released in the United States on November 22, 2019 by STXfilms. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $49 million worldwide on a $33 million production budget.

Plot

Andre Davis, a successful NYPD Detective like his father (who was murdered on duty when Andre was a child), struggles with his father's legacy and has earned a reputation for killing several criminals over the years, although he claims that they were all in self-defense and is uncomfortable with the label.

One night, Michael Trujillo and Ray Jackson, two small-time criminals and ex-military soldiers, attempt to steal 30 kilograms of cocaine from a wine shop in Brooklyn, but they find 300 kilograms of cocaine instead. When a group of officers from the NYPD's 85th Precinct arrives, Ray guns them down in a shootout, killing seven officers and wounding another, who later dies at a hospital. After Michael and Ray escape into Manhattan with 50 kilograms, Michael chastises Ray for putting them in jeopardy by killing cops. Assigned to the case, Davis and NYPD Narcotics Detective Frankie Burns come into conflict with Sgt. Butchco and Sgt. Dugan, who attempt to allow FBI special agents to take over the case. Reasoning that the criminals would have to sell the cocaine in Manhattan before escaping the state, Davis secures the reluctant approval of the Deputy Mayor, FBI and the precinct's head Captain McKenna for Manhattan Island to be under lockdown until 5:00 a.m.

As Ray and Michael go with their liaison, Bush, to meet their buyer Hawk, who gives them $1 million, Davis and Burns manage to identify all three of them. Bush is soon gunned down by Butchco and Dugan in a nightclub. After catching Butchco planting his backup sidearm on Bush's body and briefly scuffling with him, Davis becomes more suspicious of his colleagues. Adi, a money launderer, gives new identities to Michael and Ray and tells them to depart for Miami. However, before he can secure their money in an offshore account, a team of NYPD officers led by Lt. Kelly manages to locate and raid his apartment. Adi is mortally wounded, but gives Michael two flash drives and their password.

Davis and Burns catch up to Michael and Ray after accidentally killing a civilian, Ray is fatally wounded by Davis. Michael holds Burns at gunpoint, telling Davis about the drives and how suspicious everything is, before escaping. Burns scolds Davis for letting Michael escape despite Davis' reputation. In a hotel room, Michael unlocks the drives, realizing that McKenna's precinct was involved in trafficking the drugs from the winery and earning profits for it and that some of the cops he and Ray had killed in the shootout had been corrupt. After another chase where Michael abandons his money, Davis manages to corner him on a subway train and convinces him to surrender, promising to keep him alive. Burns, who has also boarded the train, suddenly shoots Michael, claiming that when he berates her, she thought Michael was still holding Davis at gunpoint. Michael secretly gives Davis the drives and password before dying. As the police congratulate the two for their efforts, Davis discovers that Burns had contacted Kelly before Adi's apartment was raided.

The next morning, McKenna returns home to find Davis holding him at gunpoint, having accessed the drives. McKenna explains that the officers went into drug trafficking because they were struggling to survive on a measly pay. Davis, refuses to walk away because drugs are a major cause of people dying. He kills the arriving Butchco, Dugan, and Kelly – who were all on McKenna's payroll – and later kills McKenna, who refuses to surrender. Burns, who Davis deduced was also allied with McKenna, appears from behind and holds Davis at gunpoint. Davis reveals that he has already leaked the information online, exposing all the corrupt cops in New York. He warns her that she will get life in prison for killing him, meaning that her daughter would have to grow up without her, so Burns surrenders.

In the aftermath, Davis solemnly drives along the Manhattan Bridge in the sunset, taking the drives with him.

Cast

{{cast listing|

Chadwick Boseman as Andre Davis
Christian Isaiah as young Andre Davis
Sienna Miller as Frankie Burns
J. K. Simmons as Captain McKenna
Stephan James as Michael Trujillo
Taylor Kitsch as Ray Jackson
Keith David as Deputy Chief Spencer
Alexander Siddig as Adi
Louis Cancelmi as Toriano Bush
Victoria Cartagena as Sergeant Yolanda Bell
Gary Carr as Hawk Tyler
Morocco Omari as Deputy Mayor Antonie Mott
Chris Ghaffari as Brad Gales
Dale Pavinski as Tom Cheaver
Darren Lipari as Lt. Kelly
Adriane Lenox as Vonetta Davis
Sarah Ellen Stephens as young Vonetta Davis
Jamie Neumann as Leigh
Obi Abili as Sgt. Butchco
Andy Truschinski as Sgt. Dugan

}}

Production

On July 11, 2018, it was announced that Chadwick Boseman would star in the film, then known under the title 17 Bridges, with Brian Kirk directing.{{cite news |title=Chadwick Boseman to Star in the Russo Brothers' 17 Bridges |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/957087-chadwick-boseman-17-bridges |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=ComingSoon.net |date=July 11, 2018 |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711205006/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/957087-chadwick-boseman-17-bridges |url-status=live }} J. K. Simmons, Sienna Miller and Taylor Kitsch were cast in September. Chris Pratt, Andrew Koji, Will Yun Lee, and Lewis Tan were also considered for roles.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/sienna-miller-j-k-simmons-taylor-kitsch-chadwick-boseman-17-bridges-stx-russo-bros-1202471595/|title=Sienna Miller, J.K. Simmons & Taylor Kitsch Join Chadwick Boseman In STX Thriller '17 Bridges'|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2018-09-26|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-03-11|archive-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501141127/https://deadline.com/2018/09/sienna-miller-j-k-simmons-taylor-kitsch-chadwick-boseman-17-bridges-stx-russo-bros-1202471595/|url-status=live}}

Filming began on September 24, with production occurring between New York City and Philadelphia.{{Cite web|url=https://thegww.com/chadwick-bosemans-cop-thriller-17-bridges-begins-filming-september-24th-in-nyc-and-philadelphia/|title=Chadwick Boseman's Cop Thriller '17 Bridges' Begins Filming September 24th In NYC and Philadelphia|date=2018-07-18|website=GWW|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-11|archive-date=April 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426191425/https://thegww.com/chadwick-bosemans-cop-thriller-17-bridges-begins-filming-september-24th-in-nyc-and-philadelphia/|url-status=live}} Keith David, Morocco Omari, Stephan James and Jamie Neumann joined in October 2018.{{cite news |title=Keith David Joins Chadwick Boseman in 17 Bridges - ComingSoon.net |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/990679-keith-david-joins-chadwick-bosemans-17-bridges-movie |access-date=October 2, 2018 |work=ComingSoon.net |date=October 2, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002214919/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/990679-keith-david-joins-chadwick-bosemans-17-bridges-movie |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/if-beale-street-could-talk-stephan-james-chadwick-boseman-17-bridges-1202475587/|title='If Beale Street Could Talk' Star Stephan James Lands Major Role Opposite Chadwick Boseman In '17 Bridges'|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2018-10-03|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-03-11|archive-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501141129/https://deadline.com/2018/10/if-beale-street-could-talk-stephan-james-chadwick-boseman-17-bridges-1202475587/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/chadwick-boseman-17-bridges-jamie-neumann-1202981986/|title=Chadwick Boseman's '17 Bridges' Adds 'Deuce' Star Jamie Neumann (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=2018-10-16|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-03-11|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403215931/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/chadwick-boseman-17-bridges-jamie-neumann-1202981986/|url-status=live}} Sienna Miller would later reveal just after Chadwick Boseman's death that Boseman donated part of his salary to her in order to have her fairly compensated when STX did not meet her requested pay.{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/chadwick-boseman-boosted-sienna-miller-s-21-bridges-salary-from-his-own-pay/|title=Chadwick Boseman Boosted Sienna Miller's 21 Bridges Salary From His Own Pay|last=Travis|first=Ben|date=2020-09-28|website=Empire Magazine|language=en|access-date=2020-09-28|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929101355/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/chadwick-boseman-boosted-sienna-miller-s-21-bridges-salary-from-his-own-pay/|url-status=live}}

Henry Jackman and Alex Belcher composed the film score, with the soundtrack being released by Sony Classical Records.

Release

21 Bridges was released in the United States and Canada on November 22, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/chadwick-boseman-21-bridges-november-22-date-move-1202656565/|title=Chadwick Boseman-Starrer '21 Bridges' Moves To November 22 Opening Date|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=July 29, 2019|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729211908/https://deadline.com/2019/07/chadwick-boseman-21-bridges-november-22-date-move-1202656565/|url-status=live}} It was previously scheduled to be released on July 12 and September 27, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/chadwick-boseman-russo-bros-actioner-21-bridges-moves-to-fall-as-stx-sets-dave-bautistas-my-spy-for-summer-1202616670/|title=Chadwick Boseman-Russo Bros Actioner '21 Bridges' Moves To Fall As STX Sets Dave Bautista's 'My Spy' For Summer|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Erik|last=Pederson|date=May 16, 2019|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828100934/https://deadline.com/2019/05/chadwick-boseman-russo-bros-actioner-21-bridges-moves-to-fall-as-stx-sets-dave-bautistas-my-spy-for-summer-1202616670/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/chadwick-boseman-russo-brothers-17-bridges-release-date-1202454980/|title=Chadwick Boseman Action Thriller '17 Bridges' From Russo Brothers & STX Targets Summer 2019 Release|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=August 30, 2018|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=May 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511070653/https://deadline.com/2018/08/chadwick-boseman-russo-brothers-17-bridges-release-date-1202454980/|url-status=live}}

The film was released in digital download on February 4, 2020, and also released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 18, 2020.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/9228/21-bridges/ |title=21 Bridges (2019) |access-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206064214/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/9228/21-bridges/ |url-status=live }} Over its first two weeks of release the film totaled $3.2 million in sales.{{Cite web|url= https://m.the-numbers.com/movie/21-Bridges-(2019)#tab=video-sales|title= 21 Bridges (2019) - Financial Information|website= The Numbers|access-date= August 31, 2020|archive-date= September 13, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200913121552/https://m.the-numbers.com/movie/21-Bridges-(2019)#tab=video-sales|url-status= live}}

Reception

=Box office=

21 Bridges grossed $28.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $21.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $49.9 million, against a production budget of $33 million.

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Frozen II, and was projected to gross $10–12 million from 2,655 theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2019/11/frozen-2-global-opening-box-office-preview-record-for-animation-film-1202790701/ |title= 'Frozen 2' Set To Ice 'Toy Story 4' For Toon Global Opening Weekend Record With $242M+ |last1= D'Alessandro |first1= Anthony |last2= Tartaglione |first2= Nancy |work= Deadline Hollywood |date= November 20, 2019 |access-date= November 20, 2019 |archive-date= November 20, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191120221146/https://deadline.com/2019/11/frozen-2-global-opening-box-office-preview-record-for-animation-film-1202790701/ |url-status= live }} The film made $3.3 million on its first day, including $770,000 from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut at $9.3 million, finishing fourth at the box office.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/11/frozen-2-opening-weekend-box-office-tom-hanks-mister-rogers-movie-21-bridges-1202792831/ |title='Frozen 2' Thaws Frigid B.O. Marketplace With $130M+, Smashing November Animated Pic Opening Records |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=November 24, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-date=November 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123133518/https://deadline.com/2019/11/frozen-2-opening-weekend-box-office-tom-hanks-mister-rogers-movie-21-bridges-1202792831/ |url-status=live }} The film fell 37% in its second weekend, making $5.8 million and finishing sixth.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/frozen-2-box-office-tuesday-november-record-knives-out-previews-thanksgiving-1202796248/ |title='Frozen 2' Hooks $126M+ Holiday Record, 'Knives Out' A $42M Win For Original Pics, 2019 YTD Crosses $10B+: Thanksgiving B.O. |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 1, 2019 |access-date=December 1, 2019 |archive-date=December 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201082951/https://deadline.com/2019/11/frozen-2-box-office-tuesday-november-record-knives-out-previews-thanksgiving-1202796248/ |url-status=live }}

=Critical response=

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|55|5.5|139|21 Bridges covers its beat competently enough, but given its impressive cast, this cop thriller should be more arresting than it is.|access-date=June 3, 2025|ref=yes}} {{Metacritic film prose|51|32|ref=yes|access-date=November 25, 2019}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while those at PostTrak gave it an average 4 out of 5 stars, with 57% saying they would recommend it.