Movies

Mob Cops Review: The Most Boring Crooked Cop Drama You’ll Regret Watching

BBG News

Currently, there’s a surge of interest in movies about organized crime, with Guy Ritchie’s “MobLand” setting streaming records as a recent example. This week, a film produced by Lionsgate, set in New York, focuses on what they call the most corrupt case in the NYPD’s history. Quite a claim, isn’t it? Unfortunately, “Mob Cops,” while attempting to portray tough-talking cops, is often marred by hard-boiled dialogue that may make you wince (“I beg your pardon, but f your mother”) and questionable decisions that would embarrass even characters like Henry Hill from “GoodFellas.” Directed by Danny A. Abeckaser and written by Kosta Kondilopoulos, this latest film starring David Arquette will likely be overshadowed by your favorite gangster films from times gone by.

A Profane Drinking Game, Anyone?

The first hour is filled with unengaging, vulgar dialogue that may make viewers lose interest before the end. However, Martin Scorsese’s excessive use of profanity in The Wolf of Wall Street was engaging due to its creativity. Shows like Deadwood and The Thick of It also managed to create captivating dialogue through their innovative use of profanity. Unfortunately, Mob Cops lacks the charm and originality needed to make its gritty portrayal of New York City’s underbelly compelling.

In this setting, two veteran NYPD agents, who appear to be nearing retirement, find themselves drawn towards questionable actions. Among them is Leo Bennetti (Jeremy Luke), a character who seems precariously close to a fit of laughter throughout the film, similar to the comedic portrayals of Chris Farley. In the initial act of “Mob Cops”, the aging Bennetti escapes with minimal punishment in court for allegations of police misconduct, while younger, upstanding detectives like Tim Delgado (Danny A. Abeckaser) watch on, either astonished or disapproving.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself immersed in the character of Delgado, who masterfully steered the plot of “Mob Cops.” The storytelling deftly moved between past and present, skillfully weaving a complex web of corruption that Delgado tirelessly worked to untangle. These smooth transitions are one of the film’s standout aspects, serving as a breath of fresh air in a genre where timeline shifts can sometimes fall flat, leaving viewers puzzled.

The vivid flashbacks to the 1980s and ’90s serve to showcase Bennetti (a genuine law enforcer, keep that in mind) at his most corrupt, a reckless scoundrel who fancied himself as immune to consequences. Interestingly, the Academy Award-winning film “The Untouchables” is referenced by certain characters within “Mob Cops“, which isn’t entirely coincidental. Bennetti saw himself as invulnerable, partly because of his power: his trusted sidekick being police partner Sammy Canzano (David Arquette, with a distinctive snub nose).

Bo Dietl Steals the Show (Or What There Is of It)

Previously discussed Scorsese films may resurface in your thoughts, particularly the captivating character of Sherman, portrayed by Bo Dietl in both “GoodFellas” and “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Delgado manages to extract information from the imprisoned Sherman as the lengthy corruption case continues to uncover fresh leads. Even Sherman’s volatile former partner, Galiano (played by Joseph Russo), is persuaded to participate in a memorable prison interview or two, turning up the intensity of his “gangster act”. Galiano’s vivid accounts of past events highlight just how corrupt Bennetti and Canzano have become, as they supplement their modest police salaries with deadly and lucrative tasks assigned by New York’s most influential crime bosses.

Eventually, the past comes knocking on the door of the present, as Bennetti, having spent years entangled in corruption, ultimately chooses to reveal his mob ties by publishing a book. This very act initiated Delgado’s investigation, and once he believes he has gathered enough evidence to bring charges against the seemingly invincible older man, he persuades his doubtful superior (Kevin Connolly) to authorize an arrest.

Better Served as a Documentary

Regarding the actor Connolly, famously known as “E” from HBO’s Entourage, I must express my amazement at his timeless appearance. Even sporting a beard in Mob Cops, he looks no older than 35. Is it plausible that he’s the stern boss of someone like Delgado? His youthful visage seems more out of place than Arquette, who appears to be acting mechanically to earn his paycheck, with a touch of excessive squinting for emphasis. The inconsistencies in Canzano’s character don’t help either. One moment he’s advising his crooked partner Bennetti to tone down the mob activities; the next, he’s negotiating directly with the mob for improved compensation. It’s as if the story itself is a mixture of truth and fiction that doesn’t quite add up.

The main event, where Delgado hires a disguised police officer posing as a movie director to extract damning confessions from Bennetti, who believes he’s making a film adaptation of his book, is the most captivating part of the movie. However, the build-up to these shocking scenes seems overly lengthy and unnecessary, as it spends too much time setting the stage rather than diving straight into the action. This section of the film fails to fully develop, despite containing the most intriguing moments. It appears that the intention was to acknowledge the movie’s title card: “‘To this day, this is seen as the worst case of corruption in the history of the NYPD.’” Unfortunately, the initial portions of the story are both uninteresting and offensive, even for fans of gangster films.

From Lionsgate, Mob Cops will be released in theaters, on demand, and on digital April 25.

Read More

2025-04-21 10:07

Previous post How Tom Hardy prepared for “intense” fight scenes of his Netflix action thriller Havoc
Next post Revive the Arcade Classic: Fatal Fury Returns with Fiery Battles!