Narc Reviews (original) (raw)

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A blood-soaked, hellish experience -- a midnight special for lovers of a violent genre -- yet it has been made with a mixture of ferocity and sweetness which leaves one exhausted but at peace. [27 January 2003, p. 94]

It joins “Rush,” “The Onion Field,” “Serpico,” “Seven,” “The French Connection,” Traffic, and “Prince of the City” as a grimy, hyper-real exploration of the emotional and psychological prices paid by cops.

It's a cop movie that refuses to cop out in the usual way.

A no-bull throwback to 1970s action films. It zips along with B-movie verve while adding the rich details and go-for-broke acting that heralds something special.

It's a stunner that sadly grows tiresome at the end.

Frustratingly, Carnahan barely trusts his storytelling to keep our attention long enough to get through a scene without some grisly cutaway -- a gun to the head, the writhing wounded.

The movie is designed to show off Liotta's acting skills, but pointless mayhem and sheer nastiness crowd out any virtues it might have had.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Great movie. The way it was shot. Gritty. Makes you feel uneasy at times. Wonderful performance by liotta and Patrick.

Production Company Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate Films, Cruise/Wagner Productions, Splendid Film, Emmett/Furla Oasis Films, Tiara Blu Films, Applecreek Productions, Cutting Edge Entertainment, Echelon Productions, Inc., JR Media Services, N.A.R.C., Narc LLC

Release Date Dec 20, 2002

Duration 1 h 45 m

Rating R

Film Independent Spirit Awards

Cognac Festival du Film Policier

• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards