Narc

Four stars. Recommended.

Dark, tense, and twisty police thriller about washed-up cop Nick Tellis (Jason Patric) as he investigates the murder of Michael Calvess, an undercover narcotics detective. Calvess's former partner, Henry Oak (Ray Liotta) had been working the case before him, but he had been removed because he was too emotionally involved. Tellis insists that Oak is allowed to help him with the investigation, but does Oak have his own reasons for wanting to track down the killers? The acting, script, and direction are all excellent, making it a thoroughly solid, gritty cop film. It's also interesting for the way in which it examines how being a parent--or missing the opportunity to become a parent--affects you.