26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Electrifying, spectacular, a "future" classic..., June 26, 2003
"Narc" is one of those films almost everyone missed in theaters - and yet - through the magic of video, is destined to join the short list of the greatest crime thrillers ever made.
Because its plot has been previously discussed so wonderfully by other Amazon reviewers, I won't add anything more beyond saying writer-director Joe Carnahan has crafted one of the most taut and wrenching screenplays in recent memory, complete with a shocking ending that has you sighing in amazement.
You think you've seen everything in cop thrillers, and in many respects, you have indeed with "Narc." Yes, this is a story about two tarnished cops.
But what's compelling and different are the spectacular, wondrous performances by Ray Liotta, Jason Patric and the entire supporting cast.
Everyone associated with this production (who reportedly worked for near nothing), should feel proud of their efforts. You never get the feeling "Narc" is a low-budget picture. It feels like a big studio film, with one huge difference. Instead of a conventional and commercial narrative with everything tied at the end, you get something more believable.
Without giving away the ending, which initially feels baffling - when you think about it some more, you come away knowing that a legacy associated with a "horrifying yet humane" secret buried by one cop for puzzling reasons - is inherited with greater clarity - by the other cop for eternity.
Hands down, this is a film driven by fabulous performances, a complex script and a free-wheeling, dangerous atmosphere offering the grittiness of the best crime films made during the 1970s. If you like films like "The French Connection," "Dog Day Afternoon," and "Serpico" - or more recently - films like "Goodfellas," "Casino" and "Training Day," you will love "Narc."
Yes, Jason Patric is fantastic. But Ray Liotta deserves special mention. In my mind, Liotta lays down the best performance of his career, better than his more memorable turn in Martin Scorcese's "Goodfellas." He's absolutely electric and so suited for this role that it's impossible to think of anyone topping it. It's a letter-perfect, towering role that feels improvised from beginning to end. When he's on screen, you can't take your eyes off him. When he speaks, you're mesmerized. The experience is like watching Gene Hackman come alive for the first time on his own in 1971's "The French Connection."
The "R" rating is for violence and profanity. There's no sex, no gratuitous, over-the-top filler and nothing that makes you groan with that "I've seen it all before" disgust. Even if you disagree with the plot, what remains is acting fireworks impossible to dismiss. No one is trying to hard to win awards in "Narc," yet in retrospect, it deserved so much more from Academy members who missed it. It even plays better, emotionally, than "Traffic," another fine film that won awards but had its energy dissipated across a huge ensemble cast.
That's OK. A lot of films become "classic" without winning a thing. "Narc" will be one of 'em. Wait ten years and you'll see.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Steals your eyes into the screen then scorches them away!, January 12, 2003
Narc is perhaps one the most original, exciting and gritty movies on police corruption since Serpico. If you're looking for a no nonsense movie filled with plot twists, great acting, and suspense this movie is for you. Hands down, the cast was amazing and believable. I am happy that Ray Liotta selected this project because he hasn't been this good in a movie since the Goodfellas! You will leave the movie shaken as if Ray was yelling down your throat. I am also thankful that Jason Patric(who is a underrated actor)decided to stop taking useless roles such as Speed 2 Cruise Control and instead took on a role where he could show the movie audience his intelligence and rising star. Joe Carnahan also had a lot to prove as he did shed his Tarantino-wannabe style from his first movie. Other movies in the police corruption genre such as Training Day were lead by great actors as well, yet their big budget did ruin its authenticity. However even with a very small budget, Carnahan was still able to make a very authentic slick piece of filmaking. Narc was dark and gritty in many ways such as its violence. The violence was strong and brutal especially in the jaw dropping opening scene and the unforgettable ending, so do take that under consideration before taking young children into the picture. This film is a true gem, it's indeed a film worth driving to select theatres to see it, you will love it.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing depth.....grabs you from the second it starts, January 27, 2005
this film was COMPLETELY overlooked by any of the major film institutions in terms of the awards that it rightfully deserved. every single performance in the film was on par...even the archetypal junkies and police chief that arent in the film for more than a half an hour a piece. the direction was excellent..as well as the writing, and its no surprise that one man did both. Some may say that this director tried too hard at showing off his many styles of filming a scene (shaky camera's, blue lenses, etc)...but really, each technique was fitting to each situation.
I know that the production of the film was almost the reason for its downfall, due to a lack of steady pay for the cast and crew memebers, but thank whoever it is that you thank in these situations that this film didnt crumble in the end. Luckily alot of different people jumped on board after its unveling at Sundance (Tom Cruise, Ray Liotta actually produced it as well as act the role of a main character)
Let me just say this....don't even think for one second that this is a nice, campy, predictalbe, standard cop film where they wrap it up in the end......this is so much more than that. this movie is struggle, it's regret, the persuit of purity, and so, so much more. if it wasn't for the slapped-on label of a Paramount Picture, this is pure art. If this film did well in the box offices, its was simply because of the power and rawness of the film, and not over-marketing or late-night promos for 2 weeks straight on letterman, leno, and o-brian. OWN THIS AND CRY.....maybe not from joy, either.
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