Review of Narc (2002) by Jose A — 11 Jan 2010

One of the grittiest crime thrillers in recent years... Joe Canarhan's "Narc" is criminally under appreciated. An excellent police procedural that has 2 terrific performances by Ray Liotta and and a super intense Jason Patric. Carnahan doesn't try to reinvent the genre, he instead ups the ante with a strong street level feel, a blistering and shocking opening chase sequence and realistic performances. He also pays homage to the 70's thrillers ("The French Connection" is an obvious influence) that came before.

The film is not for the squeamish, and is as profane and violent as a film can be. The ending might also leave you scratching your head, as the sequences and dialogue race at 100 miles an hour. Still, the stand out performances and that raw edge masterfully captured by Carnahan pushes the film to near excellence.