On top of the story, one of the best things about this film is the combined efforts of Jason Patric and Ray Liotta. We all know Liotta has a style all his own, and you know exactly what he is going to bring to the table pretty much every time, an intense kick ass performance. However, Jason Patric isn’t given nearly enough work and after watching this film it is a supreme shame he was never considered for the role of Crockett in Michael Mann’s Miami Vice. He would have nailed that role and wouldn’t have needed the gruff voice alteration Colin Farrell tried to be bad ass. An oversight for sure.
If there is anyone out there looking for what may have inspired Carnahan, he mentions the Errol Morris documentary Thin Blue Line in his commentary. The plotline for that film itself gives away the ending on Narc so I will stay clear, but if you are interested you can buy it here.
Personally I bought into this film from the very beginning. Carnahan brings a lot more style and atmosphere to this film than he did with Smokin’ Aces, which was far more glossy and dare I say Hollywood without getting yelled at? I get a feeling his next effort, the adaption of the James Ellroy novel White Jazz starring George Clooney, will be far more along the lines of Narc than Smokin’ Aces. Narc is gritty and the fact that Patric and Liotta bought into it so much only improves its effect on the audience. Look at that pic above, Liotta owned this role.
Carnahan is a writer and a director I can’t get enough of, the only issue is that there really isn’t much more of him to get since his filmography is so limited. However, if you have 10 minutes to spare, check out his BMW Films directorial effort The Hire: The Ticker below. It was also released in 2002, and stars Clive Owen, Don Cheadle and F. Murray Abraham. See you next week with Marlon Brando’s On the Waterfront.
Wanna buy Narc? Do it here. Oh, and that picture at the top of this article, that is an actual screen grab from the film. It looks like art doesn’t it?
