Movie Review by Neils Hesse
Starring: Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Chi McBride, Busta Rhymes, Anne Openshaw
Director: Joe Carnahan
Detective Nick Tellis (Jason Patric) is an undercover police officer in the narcotics department (a ‘narc’) but is on suspension because of a shooting that went horribly wrong. However an unsolved murder of a fellow officer, Calvez, forces the department to put the very reluctant Detective Tellis back on active duty to investigate the murder case.
Tellis soon realises that the only way the case has a chance of being solved is with the assistance of Detective Henry Oak (Ray Liotta), the deceased detective’s ex-partner. Unfortunately Oak was previously removed from the case, because of his extremely unstable nature and unorthodox practices, so Tellis petitions for Oak’s reassignment and is thus partnered with him for the duration.
As their investigation intensifies Tellis begins to notice a lot of evidence, combined with eye-witnesses statements, is forcing him to either confront his worst fears or ignore them at his own peril.
Jason Patric’s gives a very honest portrayal of a very troubled character and Ray Liotta is perfect for the character he portrays combining vengeance, rage and integrity – all menacingly rolled into one.
Direction is okay but after a fast and shocking opening scene the pace slows down and its characters should have had more dialogue between them. Visuals are very good and the story though old is given a fresh but harsh twist. That said it is still a very good, dark, twisting film, definitely not a typical Hollywood movie.
