Plot
18 months ago Undercover Narcotics Detective Nick Tellis unintentionally killed an unborn child while pursuing a cop killer.
Still wracked with guilt, and desperate to get off the streets, he is given the promise of what he wants – but first he must uncover the truth of another undercover cops (Michael Calvess) death.
Partnered with Calvess’ erratic Henry Oak, they go to extreme lengths to discover who exactly was responsible.
Direction
Directed by Joe Carnahan (who I have come across a few times on my time as a reviewer). I loved his style, especially the gritty nature of the “present” day.
He also used extreme shakey cam during some of the foot chases between the cops and bad guys to add to the tension. In some flashbacks, he also utilised blue filtering to emphasise the mood.
There is one clever moment where there are four different screens while Oak and Tellis are interviewing witnesses, that I wish he did more of.
Tom Cruise produced from his production company.
Cast
Jason Patric plays Tellis. His story where he is showing extreme guilt, as well as his history as a drug addicted undercover agent is handled well.
The late great Ray Liotta brings his usual intensity to the film. His entire arc, once it is revealed is truly heartbreaking.
Chi McBride plays their captain, he is slightly underused, and I wish they used him slightly more.
Breakdown
Starting with an intense opening sequence – where we meet the films protagonist, Narcotics Detective Nick Tallis. He tragically shoots a woman while trying to take down an armed criminal shooting at him, which we learn in an 18 month time jump to ‘today’ the woman lost her child.
He, now a father himself – and recovered from the drug addiction he went through while undercover. He is tasked with finding the killer of Officer Michael Calvess, who was killed while working undercover.
He is partnered with Henry Oak, who seemingly was close to Calvess, enough that he continues to visit the widow and children. When I started watching, I immediately clocked that Liotta’s Oak was going to have something to do with Calvess’ death. But the more you watch the film, the more you don’t want him to have. He is seemingly a great cop, and has a good heart. As their investigation grows, the screenplay very cleverly makes you think one thing – but then pulls the rug out from under you to reveal the truth in the closing minutes of the film… very well written.
The strength that the film has is the two leads, Patric – who has done some wonderful work (Sleepers), and some duds (Speed 2). Here he gives a great performance, and one that should be seen. But for me it’s Liotta, who always delivered in any role he did. He absolutely belts out the ‘on the edge’ type characters, or chaotic evil. He was such a talent, and he is missed.
Throughout the intensity of the narrative, the writers managed to keep some of the moments ‘light’ with some comical moments between Oak and Tellis and some of the witnesses they interview (or find deceased – and uncover how they became that way).
The tension between the marriage of Nick and wife Audrey is also well done, with her questioning his going back into the field after his last time caused the death of an innocent, as well as his drug addiction. Oak also has a dark past with his own marriage, having lost his wife recently – which he has a mesmerising confession that it made him a better cop (when he told this story you hope even more that he is not dirty).
The final act, in which the investigation leads them to a ‘chop shop’ – finding Mike’s gun in a car boot (yes I’m Australian – it’s a boot!) – is where the rug is pulled out from under you not once but twice in regards to Oak’s guilt (spoiler, he didn’t kill Mike, but Mike killed himself – refusing to come in and get help). His final moments (after being shot by Tellis during a tense standoff) is heartbreaking – and leaves an uncertain future for Tellis.
Overall
Better than I expected investigation drama, that leads the audience down the rabbit hole during the proceedings. The screenplay really plays with the audience as you ‘suspect’ a guilty party (and hope to god its not) only for the rug to be pulled from under you twice!
Fantastic performance from the late great Liotta, and Patric is on fine form.
Dark, Gritty and well paced. A strong recommend!
4/5
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