Slow Burn 2007

Ford Cole, portrayed by Ray Liotta, is a determined district attorney from the bustling city eyeing the prestigious mayoral office. However, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of deception when his assistant district attorney, Jolene Blalock as Nora Timmer, admits to killing a man while claiming it was self-defense. The situation escalates dramatically when a mysterious individual named LL Cool J arrives at the police station, challenging Nora’s account of the event.

With only hours until the critical deadline of 5 AM on August 17, Ford must unravel the tangled skein of truth and falsehoods surrounding this case to protect both his career and his life. As the stakes grow higher, he learns about Danny, a notorious gang leader played by Taye Diggs, who is busy constructing a criminal empire that spans across eleven cities, buying up valuable land in a decaying neighborhood that could reap a fortune once revamped.

Ford believes that apprehending Danny could solidify his political aspirations, yet he struggles with one crucial detail—he has no idea what Danny actually looks like. A breakthrough arises when he discovers that Nora has dropped charges against a known associate of Danny, Jeffery Sykes, and he utilizes Sykes to help identify Danny. In a twist of fate, Sykes points to Pinks as the elusive gang leader.

Ford soon realizes that Nora has orchestrated a setup, and she’s been working alongside Danny. A dire revelation strikes him; a massive gas explosion is scheduled to devastate the neighborhood at 5 AM. In a race against the clock, Ford rushes to the scene but arrives just in time to witness the explosion unfold, unable to prevent the destruction.

As Danny takes control of the neighborhood, Ford confronts Nora and Pinks, who was identified as Danny. He confronts Nora in the interrogation room with a conviction that he has captured Danny, but the scenario spirals out of control when Sykes appears, impulsively identifying himself as Danny and shooting a police officer before making his escape. In a moment of misjudgment, Ford kills Sykes, mistakenly believing that he has eliminated Danny.

In a surprising twist, Pinks reveals that he is actually an undercover FBI agent. As Pinks departs with a reporter who has been covering Ford’s exploits, they’re unaware they are being recorded by the FBI. The reporter, who is in fact the real Danny, is ultimately arrested, leaving the entirety of the neighborhood’s ownership in the hands of a Cayman Islands corporation controlled by Jackie Longbough, a.k.a. Nora Timmer. Jackie cunningly ensured that Ford, the Mayor, police chief, and even the governor all held stakes within the shady corporation. This conspiracy would be unveiled if ever there were court proceedings. The movie concludes with a striking image of Jackie basking in the sun in the Cayman Islands, evoking a sense of betrayal and ominous foreboding.