Ha, "Cop" . . . "Maniac with a Badge" is more like it.
As is the trademark of James Ellroy, this particular detective is kind of an amoral prick with a real hangup about violence against women. On any other day of the week, I would be behind this 100%, but the actual case he's working on doesn't measure up. A new lead sprouts up conveniently at every turn, and were it anyone else in the lead role, the movie would be DOA. Profane and violent yes, but also tedious.
Fortunately, it's James Woods, a live wire who berates, seduces and shoots his way through the investigation and gives the story the charge that it needs. He's absolutely the reason to watch this and he ends up shouldering the load. I'm iffy on the movie but I love his performance.
As is the trademark of James Ellroy, this particular detective is kind of an amoral prick with a real hangup about violence against women. On any other day of the week, I would be behind this 100%, but the actual case he's working on doesn't measure up. A new lead sprouts up conveniently at every turn, and were it anyone else in the lead role, the movie would be DOA. Profane and violent yes, but also tedious.
Fortunately, it's James Woods, a live wire who berates, seduces and shoots his way through the investigation and gives the story the charge that it needs. He's absolutely the reason to watch this and he ends up shouldering the load. I'm iffy on the movie but I love his performance.