The film spends little time warming us up to Denzel's character (Matt Whitlock, Chief of Police for the small Banyan Key, Florida). He drinks on the job, sleeps with the wife of an acquaintance, and steals from the force; so when things go terribly wrong for him, you might not be terribly offended.

The opening act (first third) progresses tediously, rough in the acting department and offers up only a few sophomoric one-liners as teasers. The second act, however, engages with a pace worthy of a thriller. Once Matt sees a flaming arrow of homicide evidence pointing directly at him, the film's twists & turns and accelerated direction conspire to fire up some cinematic suspense. Even a fax machine scene (which goes a little long) still arguably will have you gripping the fingers of your date. Unfortunately, just when you think the film might be able to redeem itself, it slides into home with a predictable un-quenching conclusion.

In fact, avid movie viewers may see the rest of the film coming as early as the end of the first act. Still, decent acting by Denzel, good job by Mendes, Billingsby is quite funny in a Tom Arnold kind of way and the script does offer up a few good laughs as well.

Denzel says, "In terms of my character, the picture is really about temptation, and what can happen when you give in to it. It's about sticking your hand in the cookie jar and it turns out to be full of fire. When you go out there and do something you know you shouldn't be doing, there are consequences."