A rogue-cop drama with such robust performances and realistic grit that its flirtation with clichés hardly matters, Narc strives to bring back the tough authenticity of hardboiled 1970s police flicks. Jason Patric (Sleepers) stars as a defiant undercover narc, struggling his way back into the good graces of the department after being suspended for a shooting that continues to haunt him. His cover still intact, he reenters Detroit's drug world to investigate the killing of another undercover cop, where he's paired with Ray Liotta (playing the slain man's vengeful partner), who has no qualms about stomping on the rule book when it serves his own perception of the ‘greater good'. As written and directed by Joe Carnahan (who gave us 1998's shoestring sleeper Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane), Narc's detectives are drawn with depth and dimension, as one man's integrity and the other's corruption build toward inevitable conflict. Recommended. [Note: Available in widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include audio commentary by writer-director Joe Carnahan and editor John Gilroy, a 19-minute “Shooting Up” behind-the-scenes featurette, the featurettes “Making the Deal” and “The Visual Trip” (13 min. each), the 10-minute “The Friedkin Connection” on William Friedkin's part in bringing Narc to life, and a trailer. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a solid thriller.] (R. Blackwelder)
Narc
Paramount, 105 min., R, VHS: $95.99, DVD: $29.99, Jun. 17 Volume 18, Issue 3
Narc
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