Narc (2002)

Director:

Joe Carnahan

Writer (WGA):

Joe Carnahan (written by)

Release Date:

10 January 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

When the trail goes cold on a murder investigation of a policeman an undercover narcotics officer is lured back to the force to help solve the case.

Plot Keywords:

Undercover | Murder | Hospital | Loss Of Wife | Shooting Gallery

Awards:

1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Dan Leis	...	Elvin Dowd
Jason Patric	...	Nick Tellis
Lloyd Adams	...	Walter Dandridge
Meagan Issa	...	Little Girl
Lina Giornofelice	...	Jeanine Mueller (as Lina Felice)
Alan C. Peterson	...	Freeman Franks
Karen Robinson	...	Liz Detmer
Chi McBride	...	Captain Cheevers
Booth Savage	...	Cecil Mitchum
Alan Van Sprang	...	Michael Calvess
Gavyn Donaldson	...	Tellis' Infant Son
Myles Donaldson	...	Tellis' Infant Son
Krista Bridges	...	Audrey Tellis
Ray Liotta	...	Henry Oak
Thomas Patrice	...	Officer Marcotte

Also Known As:

Narco (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong brutal violence, drug content and pervasive language.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (No. 39112) | Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Canada:18A (Canadian Home Video rating) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:18 | Japan:PG-12 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:18 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Both Ray Liotta and Jason Patric participated in the film for nearly no money. In fact, at one point during production the cast and crew's paychecks weren't coming through due to legal and budgetary issues, so Liotta and Patric worked for free because they liked writer/director Joe Carnahan and didn't want to see his career ruined by the shutting down of his movie.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Jake breaks open the window of the car to get in even though it is clear that the doors are unlocked.

Quotes:

Henry Oak: A little girl being brutalized... a little girl being abused has got nothing to do with the rules and regulations and everything to do with right and wrong.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2003) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Akatsuki

An overlooked gem

Narc is an overlooked gem, a superb cop movie that delivers excellent characters at the expense of needless action.

Jason Patric is an actor I never really rated but he blew me away in this he looks haggard and haunted, you can understand his character completely just from one look in his eyes. Despite Patric's efforts he is surpassed by a career best turn from Ray Liotta, who is menacing and cool at the same time.

Kudos for Joe Carnahan for balancing style with substance perfectly, and the opening to the film is one of the best i've ever seen. This film exudes purity and class, and Carnahan directs with no pressure. I look forward to his next film.

I don't wish to reveal anything on this film because it's best that you just see it cold but fans of Copland or Dark Blue should love this. 9/10