R | 1h 45m | Crime, Drama, Mystery | 2003
Directed by Mr. Carnahan (“Copshop,” “Boss Level”), “Narc” deviates from standard cop conventions with a raw authentic and visceral intensity, characterized by tough dialogue and graphic violence.
Chaos and Carnage
The film immediately thrusts you into the action with undercover narcotics detective Nick Tellis (Patric), disheveled and sporting a goatee, pursuing a drugged-out suspect through a Detroit apartment complex. In a desperate move, the suspect grabs a child as a hostage, prompting Tellis to recklessly shoot him in the head while sprinting towards him. Tragically, one of Tellis’s shots also hits a pregnant woman, causing her to miscarry.
This incident lands Tellis in hot water with his superiors at the Detroit Police Department, and he is summoned to explain his impulsive actions. Despite the pressure, Tellis stands his ground. His defiance leads the brass to offer him a chance at redemption—as long as he can track down the killers of another narcotics detective, Michael Calvess. As a newlywed with a new baby, Tellis is eager to avoid danger and seeks the security of a desk job. His superiors dangle a tempting carrot: if he successfully captures Calvess’s killers, he can choose his own assignment, including the much-desired desk job.
Tellis soon discovers that to properly proceed with the case, he'll have to partner up with Henry Oak (Liotta), a fellow detective who has already put a lot of work into it. Oak, who was best friends with Calvess, is determined to find those responsible for his murder, even if it means breaking rules—and a few bones, too.
Fuzzy Focus
After the initial setup, the film’s tone becomes somewhat murky. While I understand Tellis’s gradual immersion into the assignment, his motives are confounding. It’s clear he’s partly driven by the prospect of a comfortable desk job and his personal connection to Calvess, whose family life seems similar to his own.Yet, it’s unclear whether the film aims to be a cautionary tale about the brutal worlds of drug users and the corrupt bureaucracy within law enforcement and the criminal justice system, or if it leans towards a darkly humorous cop buddy flick. Some scenes could stand alone as effective short films but feel disjointed when pieced together, creating tonal inconsistencies.
It’s also somewhat bleak. Initially, the film hints at family as a positive support for Tellis, but this notion erodes as we see arguments with his unsupportive wife, Audrey (Krista Bridges).
Strong Performances
To the film’s credit, the acting performances are commendable across the board. Mr. Patric assumes the role of the lead character, an undercover cop seeking redemption if he is able to accomplish the dangerous task.
However, it is Ray Liotta who steals the spotlight with a standout performances as a hardened and cunning cop. While Oak’s character might appear two-dimensional on paper, Liotta infuses him with profound depth, elevating the role to new heights.
The two lead actors drive the movie forward. Despite the familiar trope of pairing a younger, disciplined cop with a rough, aggressive veteran (seen in films like “Q&A”), Mr. Patric and Liotta’s unique dynamic makes it particularly effective. The supporting cast also delivers solid performances, including Krista Bridges as Tellis’s rather unlikeable wife and surprisingly, Busta Rhymes.
Mr. Carnahan’s direction is generally solid, though I wouldn’t call this his best work, especially when compared to more recent offerings. His frequent use of jerky, over-the-shoulder shots and occasional stylistic gimmicks can feel a bit excessive. However, Mr. Carnahan’s gritty and chaotic portrayal of the drug world tempers these stylistic choices to some extent.
“Narc” is a film that might have gone unnoticed by many, but it’s worth a watch. Just note there’s some drug use, though it’s depicted in a cautionary manner. The storyline can be perplexing at times, but the performances from Mr. Patric and Liotta are truly outstanding.
