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Narc

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Narc (2002)

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Reviews Counted:151

Fresh:126

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.

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Dramas

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... 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]

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

Starring: Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Busta Rhymes, Richard Chevolleau, Chi McBride, John Ortiz, Anne Openshaw, Alan Van Sprang, Tom Cruise

Director: Joe Carnahan

Director: Joe Carnahan
Screenwriter: Joe Carnahan
Producer: Ray Liotta
Composer: Cliff Martinez
Studio: Paramount Pictures

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Reviews for Narc

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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Carnahan shows flair and confidence.

Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
04/09/08
Philip French
Philip French
Observer [UK]

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

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
08/31/03
Alan Morrison
Alan Morrison
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
03/25/03
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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 Source: UK Critic | comment Comment
02/16/03
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic

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

Full Review Source: FilmFour.com | comment Comment
02/11/03
FilmFour.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The story and characters are nowhere near gripping enough.

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

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

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
02/08/03
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

A clever, thought-provoking thriller.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
01/29/03
Nev Pierce
Nev Pierce
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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 Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
01/23/03
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

The stylish conviction of Carnahan and his never-better leads make this familiar yarn worth caring about.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
02/18/09
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
10/29/08
Steven D. Greydanus
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

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 Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
04/09/08
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
12/27/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

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 Source: Nation | comment Comment
03/03/05
Stuart Klawans
Stuart Klawans
Nation

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

Full Review Source: Panorama | comment Comment
02/25/05
Louis-Jérôme Cloutier
Louis-Jérôme Cloutier
Panorama

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 Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
01/15/05
Jeffrey Overstreet
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer

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

Full Review Source: tonymedley.com | comment Comment
10/07/04
Tony Medley
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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Latest News for Narc

May 03, 2007: Smokin' Joe Has Seen a "Sin City 2" Teaser
And by "Smokin' Joe" I mean Crazy Joe Carnahan, director of action flicks like "Narc" and "Smokin' Aces." Seems that Robert Rodriguez recently... More...

August 18, 2006: Trailer Bulletin: The Insane "Smokin' Aces"
Last week I was all set to share the all-new and seriously energetic trailer for Joe Carnahan's "Smokin' Aces," but the official site went bye-bye before I could... More...

October 14, 2005: Andy Garcia Joins Carnahan's "Smokin'" Ensemble
Variety brings word that Andy Garcia will climb aboard director Joe Carnahan's "Smokin' Aces," am action-comedy that's already packing some solid star power. More...

August 12, 2005: Carnahan Starts "Smokin'" for Universal
"Narc" director Joe Carnahan has been tapped by Universal to helm "Smokin' Aces," from his own screenplay. The action thriller is set to star Ryan Reynolds,... More...

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