Editor’s Note: This review is based on a pre-release viewing at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Certain scenes may vary in the U.S. release.

Any film beginning with Eva Mendes pleasuring herself on a couch has to be a good one, right? “We Own the Night” uses this device of exploitation to entice the audience at its outset.

Does the film continue to hold your attention? Maybe. Is the movie an inventive and well-written piece of cinema? No.

“We Own the Night” stars Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duvall. With an all-star cast like this, the film should impress critics and audiences alike. Unfortunately, the star wattage isn’t enough.

Phoenix plays Bobby Green, a guy on the wrong side of the legal tracks. His policeman brother, Joseph, and father, Burt, don’t appreciate his nightclub ownership and dabbling in drugs.

Phoenix rarely disappoints, slipping into the carefree and cynical role without a problem and giving “Night” a slight edge over the everyday cop drama.

However, Wahlberg and Duvall have dull characters to work with. After Wahlberg’s energetic turn in last year’s “The Departed,” this cop leaves a lot to be desired. Joseph maintains the same boring facial expressions through the film.

The average and predictable plot focuses on a Russian drug lord who frequents Bobby’s nightclub. After he tells Bobby his idea to kill Joseph and Burt, Bobby has a turn of conscience and wants to help save his father and brother. He decides to go undercover to lead the cops to the drug operation itself.

Wait – Bobby doesn’t have police training. This plan might not go quite as they hoped.

The cinematography is glittery with the nightclub “cool factor” and gritty during the underground drug scenes, making the movie easy on the eyes, even if it doesn’t break any new ground.