By Stephen Pytak 

     This film's got a lot going for it. But I really 
connected with its sense of humor, whether it was 
intended or not.
     There's this scene where our heroes, two Detroit cops 
played by Patric and Liotta, find a man in a bathtub, 
dead, his head blown off. 
     Patric's character "Nick," a former junkie, scratches 
his head as he examines the scene. He sees a broken 
bong on the floor. And a spent shotgun shell. While the 
zombie squad pulls the dead man's molars out of the 
wall, Nick spits out a theory. It's whacked out, yet so 
frightening it's believable.
     He said the guy in the tub was probably high as a 
kite. He dropped the bong, broke it, then 
accidentally killed himself by using the shotgun as a 
bong. While Patric talks about it, Director Carnahan 
illustrates the scene for us step by step. 
     I laughed. It was so over the top. But Patric held a 
straight face. So did Liotta. Then again, Liotta's 
character looked like he'd seen everything and then 
some.
     "Narc" is an exceptional cop film for a dozen 
reasons. It's an excellent character study. It's also a fun 
ride. I think that's where the difference really lies.
     The film is about undercover narcotics cops, their 
families and their addictions. 
     Detective Sgt. Nick Tellis (Patric) was fired 18 
months ago when he shot at a suspect and hit a 
pregnant woman. He's given a second chance when he 
takes a case and investigates the death of an undercover 
cop. Nick takes it because he wants a paycheck and a 
desk at the office.
     His partner on this case is a friend of the dead cop, 
Detective Lt. Henry R. Oak (Liotta). Other cops say he's 
unstable. That's confirmed when Oak puts a 9-ball in a 
sock and works over a suspect in handcuffs. All Oak 
wants is his friend's killers brought to justice. That said, 
the two decide to work together.
     Patric plays the straight man here. Liotta is the loose 
canon. Oak dishes out justice with not only pool balls, 
but knuckles and shells. He's fun to watch. He's playing 
a dangerous cop akin to Detective Alonzo Harris in 
"Training Day (2001)," but I thought his performance 
was better than Denzel's. I hope the Academy is reading 
this. 
     The investigation leads them through back alleys, 
case files, personal revelations and an auto body 
warehouse on the edge of town, where everything comes 
to a head. 
     Patric is the son of the late actor-playwright Jason 
Miller. His career had its ups and downs. He raised a 
few eyebrows when he played the lead in "The Lost 
Boys (1987)" and in "Rush (1991)." But then he had 
a few forgettable roles. Anyone remember "Speed 2: 
Cruise Control (1997)?" I think "Narc" is his best work 
to date. 
     The director, Carnahan, is a relative newcomer. I 
hope we see a lot more from him.