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Narc

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Narc (2002)

83%
63%
84%
N/A
N/A
N/A
83 %
Reviews Counted: 148 Fresh: 123  Rotten:25 Average Rating: 7.1/10
 
Consensus: Jason Patric and Ray Liotta are electrifying in this gritty, if a little too familiar, cop drama.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Synopsis: 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... 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"). [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Busta Rhymes, Richard Chevolleau, Chi McBride

Director: Joe Carnahan
Screenwriter: Joe Carnahan
Producer: Ray Liotta
Composer: Cliff Martinez

DVD Info

Release:

May 6, 2004

[DVD Details]

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Ratings Image
N/A

Carnahan shows flair and confidence.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/09/08
Philip French
Observer [UK]
Ratings Image
N/A

If Carnahan keeps wrenching this material back an inch or two from cliché, it's only an inch or two.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
4/5

The director is helped in no small part by his leading men.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/31/03
Alan Morrison
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
3/5

Ferociously gritty and unsentimentally tough, Joe Carnahan's movie is drenched with a cynicism that permeates the celluloid itself.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/25/03
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
2.5/4

The twist that ends the movie is the one with the most emotional resonance, but twists are getting irritating, and this is the kind of material where the filmmakers should be very careful about raising eyebrows.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/16/03
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic
Ratings Image
4/5

It's exciting to witness fresh talent breaking, and Carnahan deserves some serious respect for this impressively gritty piece of genre cinema.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/11/03
FilmFour.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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N/A

The story and characters are nowhere near gripping enough.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/08/03
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]
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4/5

Imressive, gripping cop thriller with terrific performances from its two stars.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/08/03
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
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4/5

A clever, thought-provoking thriller.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/29/03
Nev Pierce
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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3.5/5

It looks fantastic (none of that anonymous Hollywood slickness here!), and with performances this interesting, it's definitely a cut above almost everything else in the genre at the moment.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/23/03
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
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N/A

As a director Carnahan definitely has the goods... Unfortunately the script is your basic renegade-cop narrative, with the usual hoo-ha about justice versus the law.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/09/08
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
Ratings Image
3/4

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
12/27/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
Ratings Image
N/A

For a picture that's billed as fresh and bracing, this is a pretty formulaic scheme, which Carnahan attempts to jolt into life through jittery direction.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/03/05
Stuart Klawans
Nation
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B

Narc est un film extrêmement conventionnel dans son histoire, mais brille dans sa réalisation, son atmosphère et son style.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/25/05
Louis-Jérôme Cloutier
Panorama
Ratings Image
C

Sometimes it seems a director tries to pack in as much harsh footage as an R-rating will allow for its own sake. That itself is a violent act. The audience is the victim.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/15/05
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
Ratings Image
5/10

This is a dark, depressing, excessively violent, profusely profane film, not for the squeamish or anyone who likes elevating entertainment.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/07/04
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com
Ratings Image
3.5/4

A showcase for two talented actors and [Joe] Carnahan's technical wizardry, Narc is welcome entry in a tired genre.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/06/04
Greg Maki
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)
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3/5

It's a triumph of style over substance, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/06/03
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly
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3/4

'Una verdadera recomendación que lamentablemente duró muy poco en pantalla, por lo que no se la pueden perder en video'

Full Review | comment Comment
07/04/03
Jorge Avila Andrade
Moviola
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3.5/4

Carnahan isn’t breaking new ground, but he has administered an astoundingly visceral shot of adrenaline to the police-procedural genre.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/26/03
Nick Rogers
State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL)
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Related Forums

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NARC collars "3" nominations-
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REEL_REVIEWER
NARC collars "3" nominations-
by: REEL_REVIEWER 10/20/04


REEL_REVIEWER
NARC collars "3" nominations-
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News

Smokin' Joe Has Seen a "Sin City 2" Teaser
posted by Scott Weinberg May 03, 2007
And by "Smokin' Joe" I mean Crazy Joe Carnahan, director of action flicks like "Narc" and...


Trailer Bulletin: The Insane "Smokin' Aces"
posted by Scott Weinberg August 18, 2006
Last week I was all set to share the all-new and seriously energetic trailer for Joe Carnahan's "Smokin'...


Andy Garcia Joins Carnahan's "Smokin'" Ensemble
posted by Scott Weinberg October 14, 2005
Variety brings word that Andy Garcia will climb aboard director Joe Carnahan's "Smokin' Aces," am...


Carnahan Starts "Smokin'" for Universal
posted by Scott Weinberg August 12, 2005
"Narc" director Joe Carnahan has been tapped by Universal to helm "Smokin' Aces," from his own...

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