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Narc
(Reviewed October 7, 2002)
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Well-made, intense, even kind of stylish example of one of those gritty cop movies you can't imagine anyone actually leaving the house and buying a ticket to see, especially in an era when 95 percent of prime-time television is monopolized by various versions of "CSI," "Law and Order," and endless other shows designed to scare audiences into staying home, quaking in fear...and watching more television.
Jason Patric (who really should play the lead role in the movie adaptation of Garth Ennis' great "Preacher" comic, if the damned thing ever gets made, but whose facial hair here gives him an uncomfortable resemblance to comedian Dennis Miller) is an ex-narc who can get back on the force if he cracks a murdered cop case that has the force stymied, as it were. The character's wife is the long-sufferin' type who loves him "with everything I am," but who threatens to take their baby and leave him because he's getting back into the action. Ray Liotta is excellent as the super-intense, perp-brutalizing, hotheaded former partner of the dead officer. All of this sounding a little familiar? Those aren't the only cliches here. Also, the ending has one surprise plot revelation too many, one that is explained at such an artlessly breathless clip it will remind you of that mile-a-minute-talking former Federal Express pitchman.
Still, if you like these kinds of movies--the kind that make you thank God everyday that you're not a cop who has to deal with The Criminal Element--this one is better than most.
An aside: I couldn't help thinking throughout this movie about how America's insane War on Drugs is the root cause of way too much of the crime in this country (and all of the crime in this movie). What a waste of tax money, lives and time it is to legislate what people can put in their own bodies here in the supposed "land of the free." Wake up, America, and vote Libertarian!
Back Row Grade: C
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