In homage to such classic films as "The French Connection" and "Serpico," writer/director Joe Carnahan's "Narc" explores the dark underbelly of the drug world with a compelling story about the intense psyche behind those individuals called "narcs," undercover officers who put themselves on the front lines of the war against drugs. Chipping away at the number of dealers on the streets, these brave men and women leave their loved ones behind each day as they throw themselves into the brutal world of drug abuse for one purpose only…to end it.
"Narc" tells the story of suspended undercover narcotics officer, Nick Tellis (Jason Patric), who is reluctantly drawn back onto the force to find the truth behind the murder of a young police officer killed in the line of duty. He is teamed with Henry Oak (Ray Liotta), the slain officer's partner, a rogue cop who will stop at nothing to avenge his friend's death. As Tellis and Oak unravel the case, the dark underbelly of the narcotics world reveals itself in surprising ways that are more twisted than either officer has seen before…and the mystery that slowly reveals itself threatens to destroy them both.
Nominated for the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah and winner of the Special Prize Policier Award at the Cognac Film Festival in France, "Narc" is written and directed by an innovative new voice in filmmaking, Joe Carnahan ("Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane"). The film stars Jason Patric ("Your Friends & Neighbors," "Rush") and Ray Liotta ("Hannibal," "Goodfellas"). An intense adrenaline rush from the first heart-stopping chase scene to the stunning dramatic climax, this taut police thriller also features rap artist Busta Rhymes ("Finding Forester," "Shaft") and Chi McBride ("Undercover Brother").
(19 votes)
2.
When a drug bust goes awry and a pregnant woman is shot, undercover narcotics officer Nick Tellis (Jason Patric) is suspended from the Detroit Police Force. With a baby of his own and a wife who has seen him tortured by the horrific incident, Tellis is not anxious to go back onto the force, but he doesn’t know any other kind of work that can fulfill him.
Now it is eighteen months after his suspension, and Tellis is brought before a review board and told he is needed to help crack a homicide case. A rookie undercover officer has been killed, and if Tellis takes on the assignment and apprehends a suspect, he is told he can have the assignment of his choosing and all the charges against him will be dismissed.
Homicide Detective Henry Oak (Ray Liotta), the slain officer’s partner and mentor, is a bare bones, brass knuckles cop who has been leading the murder investigation. A respected officer, who brings in solid collars with a 93% conviction rate, Oak has become increasingly volatile and aggressive since the trail of clues in the case has gone cold. In fact, for over sixty days, there has been no tangible evidence or a single suspect uncovered.
Despite his wife’s concerns about his mental stability if he goes back undercover, Tellis teams up with Oak, whose heavy-handed, and often brutal style, is difficult for Tellis to handle. Still, somehow the two men begin to work together, chasing down leads, tracking informants and finally zeroing in on two primary suspects, drug dealers Beery (Busta Rhymes) and Steeds (Richard Chevolleau), who operate out of a grimy Detroit chop shop.
As Oak browbeats Beery and Steeds for a confession, the true story of how the young officer was killed slowly comes into focus.. .and the truth is nothing less than shocking.
(19 votes)
3.
Jittery camera moves and a gray-blue palette make it clear that Narc is a gritty police drama in the tradition of The French Connection and Serpico. Jason Patric (Rush, Your Friends & Neighbors) plays Nick Tellis, a former undercover cop with an accidental death on his conscience, which may be why he's agreed to partner with Henry Oak (Ray Liotta), a lieutenant determined to track down the killers of his former partner. This could all be rote, but the grit sticks: writer-director Joe Carnahan takes a huge leap forward from his Tarentino-wannabe first film, Blood, Guts, Bullets & Octane. The entire cast is excellent; Patric and Liotta give rich, textured performances that make their respective obsessions vivid and sad. Narc could use more of the dark humor that occasionally bursts out, but the movie's drive and energy make it more than a bleak tale of good intentions gone bad. --Bret Fetzer
(18 votes)
4.
"Thumbs up! A hard-edged thriller." -Roger Ebert, Ebert & Roeper
Jason Patric and Ray Liotta star in this sizzling action-drama that Elvis Mitchell of The New York Times says "...has the velocity of a hot slug from the barrel of a gun."
Patric stars as Nick Tellis, a suspended narcotics officer recruited to investigate the murder of Michael Calvess, a rookie cop killed under mysterious circumstances. Tellis is teamed with Calvess's partner, Henry Oak (Liotta), a hot-tempered renegade who'll stop at nothing to avenge his friend's death. As Tellis and Oak follow a shadowy trail through the steamy drug underworld, the lines start to blur-between right and wrong, good and evil, and justice and revenge.
Costarring music superstar Busta Rhymes, Narc is "...an ambitious picture that recognizes no limits." (David Denby, The New Yorker).
(16 votes)
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