Rag and Bone (1998 TV Movie) User Reviews

The ghosts from the past

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 9 April 2005]

"Rag and Bone" was shown recently on cable. The promise of having been inspired by something written by Ann Rice, we decided to take a look. This film has a TV pilot written all over it. Robert Lieberman, has worked basically for television. The film doesn't show anything new, or break any new ground on the genre.

The main annoying point is the thundering and lightning effect we see and feel, whenever anything supernatural is about to occur in the action. Instead of enhancing the point of view, it appears to work against what we are watching.

The idea of a priest joining the New Orleans Police Department, is preposterous, at best, but we go along with the story. The conflict of interests, alone, is something that defies all logic, but one gives it the benefit of the doubt.

The acting is adequate, although, as Tony Moran, the cop, Dean Cain, seems out of his depth. Robert Patrick, on the other hand gives a more assured performance as Sgt. Ryan.

Based on what was presented, it was clear why this would be series didn't make it.

Less than the sum of its parts

[myriamlenys · 5/10 · 28 October 2023]

Standing at the crossroads of at least two genres (horror and mystery), "Rag and bone" tells a story about a rookie cop who starts seeing the ghost of a long-dead policeman. The movie plays around with rich, juicy elements, such as Roman Catholicism, doomed love, life after death, murder, political corruption and the like. In other words, all the ingredients are present for a satisfying jambalaya in a sensual-religioso vein. Somehow the result is not as captivating or as disquieting as it could have been.

Perhaps the movie sins by showing too much. After a while the appearance of the ghost becomes commonplace, when it should have remained an exceptional occurrence. Moreover, the ghost doesn't seem to have much purpose in life (or, as the case may be, in afterlife), apart from looking sad, looking miffed or making vaguely passive-aggressive remarks. We, the viewers, can get the same experience by attending a Monday morning meeting with some of our pricklier colleagues.

On the other hand the movie isn't all bad. The New Orleans setting works well, the actors put in an honest day's work and some scenes impress, such as a church filling up with long-dead parishioners taking Communion. A rating of about five stars seems fair.

contains spoiler! worth watching if only to see patrick rolling around

[discos · 2/10 · 25 May 2001]

Anne Rice seems to have lost the plot a little in a rather confused storyline, but may be forgiven as this was originally a T.V pilot. while Dean Cain looks wonderful. he really was not suited to this film and even a solid performance by Robert Patrick does not save it! The story revoles around Cain as a cop with a dilemer with his past as a priest, trying to please everyone and having to deal with ghost cop (patrick) popping up to give cryptic clues. worth watching if you're a Patrick fan if only to see him rolling around in bed!

"You can't be a priest in a cop's uniform."

[clanciai · 7/10 · 8 January 2024]

There is no lucidity here. The intrigue is interesting enough, a priest leaves the church to become a cop, and everyone wonders why, even in the film, but that question is never answered. At a critical moment, when chasing a junky with drugs on him, that junky pulls a gun on him, and he has to shoot him down. The problem is he has known him as an altar boy and still knows his parents. He gets confused. No gun is found at first, he is suspended, and he wanders around in limbo followed by ghosts off the past, another officer who was murdered which case never was cleared, he had Carroll Baker for his mistress who after his death immediately became a nun, our hero has a lot of conversations with her, but they never reach anywhere. A good mystery of conscience conflicts and and an old murder case just lead to a jungle of mumbo-jumbo, which makes the film unsatisfactory - you almost regret having watched it. Apparently it was to be a TV series which never amounted to anything.

Great series potential- a missed opportunity?

[marym-2 · 8/10 · 21 October 1999]

From famed horror writer, Anne Rice, this TV movie was originally made as a TV pilot for CBS - it's such a shame it didn't get any further as it shows great series potential.

Maybe the victim of the need for instant ratings success in the US, this one would have needed a few episodes to build a following.

More atmospheric than scary, this film has a great cast headed by Dean Cain and Robert Patrick who are both great in their respective roles, but worth looking out for are some wonderful scenes between Dean Cain and Carroll Baker in particular.

Set against the backdrop of New Orleans, the production values are great and whilst there are some holes in the storyline, it has to be remembered that a series was to follow, where many of the plot lines would have been explored.

Rag & Bone is being released on video in certain countries and is definitely worth seeking out.

a total delight

[tricia-16 · 10/10 · 10 March 2001]

Although a "dark" story, one i suspect some people might have trouble understanding (it was supposed to be a pilot for a series) i totally enjoyed this film. Dean Cain helped to produce this film and he comes across as a total professional. This was his 1st t.v. appearance since Lois & Clark, no sign of Superman here. The cast were all very good and believable, but i have to say not only is Dean a great actor but just looking at this sexy man makes my heart flutter. I simply love this film, it is one of my all time favourite Dean Cain films. This film was put together in a totally professional way, i cannot say that i knew Anne Rice before but will certainly watch out for more of her projects. Not to be missed - it is certainly a pity that it has never been released on U.S. t.v. I had the pleasure of watching it n British t.v.