Fresh and Exciting

Fantastic!

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Blistering performances.

Why are some good cop films overtly successful and talked about, whereas some good cop films are forgotten too early? Narc has garnered critical acclaim. It also managed to approximately double it's meager 6.5 million budget. So it is a success, and a pretty decent one. However, I think it should have gained a lot more recognition. Moreover, it should be remembered overtime, just as films like se7en(1995) and Serpico(1973) have. It is a very thorough film, it should be ranked among one of the top in the cop film genre. Ray Liotta and Jason Patrick team up as cops who look to investigate the murder of a fellow undercover cop working in the narcotics department. Hence, as they set on course to investigate, the gritty reality of the drugs arena and the internal corruption in the police department come to surface. Narc is an ideal cop film. It has everything. Fast pace, powerful performances, twists, mystery, edge of seat stuff. From the first frame, the pace of the film is set up. The first scene is the gloomy but edgy chase sequence as Jason Patrick runs breathlessly after a junkie. It is dark and intense. Also, the characters come with their own weaknesses. They are not the typical 'macho' cops. They are struggling with their internal demons throughout their journey into the underbelly. Not only that, they don't get along very well with each other. All of the subplots and backstories of the two protagonists have been connected to the focal plot of the film. All the loose ends have been tied up, hence no loopholes in a somewhat layered plot. All these traits make this an entertaining film. But what makes this film compete with classics is the fact that it is not only entertaining, but it also exposes the grit and dirt. The corruption in the police department and the frailty of those working in the narcotics department is portrayed heavily in the film. So no matter how hard one tries, there is nothing lacking or weak in the film that can be pointed out. It stays true to the genre, it doesn't even try to be anything else, just an outstanding cop film. Ray Liotta and Jason Patrick deliver strong performances. Snappy and dark cinematography match the genre's requirements. It also gives it a "noir" feel. Joe Carnahan's direction is spot on. Much like Ben Affleck's Gone Baby Gone(2007), the ending leaves the main character with a tricky choice. Here, Jason Patrick has a choice to hand in the confession tape or not. Both choices will disadvantage someone unfairly, if he hands in the tape, two junkies will be accused of a murder they did not commit, otherwise Calvess's(the cop whose murder investigation was taking place) widow will stop receiving his pension. It's a question of morals, which the film doesn't spoon- feed or preach explicitly. Hence, the ending is left open ended. Overall, the statement that Narc is a good film is an understatement. It is more than good. It is widely established as just a good 2002 cop film, but it should be remembered as more than that.

An undercover narc is suspended from the force when one of his assignments goes violently wrong; he is coaxed back into duty to assist a maverick cop find the killer of a fellow officer.Set in Detroit, Narc is a pretty good example of an ultra- gritty police film. It certainly starts with a bang, with an opening chase scene that ensures proceedings are begun on a highly intense note. It's certainly a dynamic start and it is indicative of the overall approach that the film will take, i.e. one that will aim for grim authenticity. Having said that, it isn't above using cinematic techniques such as split-screen as a means of illustrating a scene, while it is also visually stylised enough to use a washed out blue tint that effectively makes the urban setting seem even more cold and uninviting. The drama in the main focuses on the two detectives in a good cop/bad cop dynamic. Jason Patric is quite broody and withdrawn and Ray Liotta is a live-wire cop who doesn't play by the rules. To a certain extent their characters are a bit clichéd to be perfectly honest but both actors do good enough work with them to make them interesting and believable. But like many films of the police procedural type, it's the central mystery that ultimately keeps things ticking along and there are some decent surprises sprung along the way, including an interesting and effective ending that rounds things off just fine.

As other reviews have pointed out, in a sea of American cop dramas that end up on screen, Narc stands out in the overcrowded pack as one of the most under rated police films of all time. I rate the film so highly because of a superb script written by Joe Carnahan, Carnahan's unique direction, incredible cinematography by Alex Nepomniaschy, naturalistic and seemingly improvisational acting, especially by the films stars Jason Patrick and Ray Liotta, groundbreaking editing by Joh Gilroy and a relentless dedication to the project by Joe Carnahan and those involved with the project to bring it to life .The script, written by Director Joe Carnahan, has dialogue that is natural, gritty, and shows a detailed intricate knowledge of the lives of undercover Detroit police officers and the toll those lives take on the officers themselves, their families and the communities they work in. An interesting point about the film is the Directors choice, along with the actors, to stray from what Carnahan had penned and allow for the actors to improvise several sequences in the film. Without detailing every scene of the film, I will pick those that stand out to me and review the aspects of the film that I listed above.The opening scene of the film shows Jason Patrick, Detective Nick Tellis, in a park looking out at the city of Detroit. After seeing the film (God only knows how many times) Patricks "thousand yard stare" makes me wonder if this scene is actually Tellis thinking about turning over or not turning over the tape of Ray Liottas character, Detective Henry Oak's confession at the end of the film. This scene is followed by one of the most realistic, shocking and violent introductions to a film. Just in the same way Nicolas Winding Refn places you directly into the violent, ancient and primal world of Valhalla Rising, Carnahan thrusts you into the one of the worst days of an undercover officers life and makes you an active participant in that day. It is emotional, shocking, thrilling and heart wrenching as the chase involves two casualties, a male civilian who is injected with a lethal dose of of drugs, and a pregnant woman who is struck by a stray bullet fired from Tellis's gun. Tellis kills the suspect who was holding the pregnant woman's little daughter hostage but the woman loses her unborn child as a result of her injury. Hands down, this opening chase sequence is one of the memorable scenes put to film and one of the best openings to a film...ever. (Just my opinion. Feel free to disagree...even though you would be wrong.) :)This film stands alone from other films of the same genre, (Training Day, End of Watch) largely from Carnahan's unique vision and Alex Nepomniaschy incredibly raw cinematography. The two combined places you visually in the front seat. You are a partner to Tellis, a member of his family, a part of the investigation and a participant in his decisions that ultimately lead to the death of his partner at Tellis's hand. Which leads me to the other scene which is Tellis and Oak's final confrontation at the end of the movie. From the interrogation of a suspect, played surprisingly truthful and real by Busta Rhymes, to Tellis making the decision to shoot Oaks to save the suspects, the last 10 minutes of the film leaves you the same way it opened, heart pumping, out of breath and questioning your own beliefs about right and wrong.Jason Patrick and Ray Liotta deliver performances that are Oscar worthy. Tellis is the tortured undercover cop who is too close to his work. With little to no dialogue we see exactly how much he cares for his wife and child, and how fragile his family unit is. He is a man desperately trying to hold on to the life he wants to have, while struggling to survive the life he actually has.Ray Liotta's performance is exquisite. He shoulders the heavy burden of the secrets he keeps to protect the ones he loves. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and relieves that pressure by exercising brutal police judgment on the criminals of the city. Both actors are vulnerable and haunting in their own unique way. This film is incredible and should be included as a regular study for film makers. With a record number of producers, Narc found a way to fight through budget problems, lack of funds and resources, production concerns and other issues to be brought to life and stand as one of the greatest films in its genre.

Beauty truly is in the eye. Yet another movie with a generously high rating for a film which personifies the term over rated.The film tries to mix a contemporary visual style more suited to promotional pop music video with the gritty low down look and feel of far superior 1970's cop dramas. The opening scene is engaging showing how Patric's undercover narcotics cop got fired from the force by means of an accidental shooting while chasing a suspect on foot, with clever use by the director of a hand held camera. Its all downhill from then on i am afraid.Rarely have i been more disinterested in a police procedural than this. The plot involves Patric being reinstated to the force in order to assist fellow detective, Liotta, in solving the murder of another undercover narcotics cop. There is much domestic angst on display as Patric and his wife fall out over his decision to join up again which is really wearing to watch.A tedious reminiscing conversation between Patric and Liotta whist on a stakeout contains the crucial information regarding the films "twist". This plot "revelation" at the films conclusion had me groaning in disbelief at how they couldn't even elevate this mundane fare with something more profound than this. During the whole course of the movie you never feel any empathy for the slain officer. His life story receives air brushed attention touching on corruption and drug addiction. Maybe you like the bursts of violence, or the visual style. For me i became disenfranchised with this after about 15 minutes never to return and thats what i really call criminal.