Christopher Lambert Movie:

				Salesrank: 248195 Released: January 31, 2006
		Our Price: $25.94
		Used Price: $25.95
		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

Cop [NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2.4 Import - Australia] [Region 4] Reviews:
Love great endings
2009-11-11 - The ending of the movie made it all worthwhile for me. I am a big James Woods fan so always enjoy him.

riveting from start to finish
2009-10-20 - From Dick Tracy to Dirty Harry, the story is the same: rogue cop doesn't play by the rules and is on the track of a killer. Goody two shoes bureaucrats and suits try to rein him in. He solves the case, but not without killing a few crooked cops, perps, and stepping on numerous toes. You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. He is suspended, stripped of his badge -- but that doesn't stop him from taking justice into his own hands.

With the generic title of "Cop" this same-old same-old old story could be a cliche, but it avoided that pitfall by great attention to the quirky details -- of character and place -- that gave it that ring of authenticity. For example, in "Cop" Los Angeles is quite different from Silverlake (a sub set of L.A., actually), while Hollywood is quite another kettle of tea from West Hollywood.

The characters may be stock characters, but they are nuanced and complex, never mere cardboard cut-outs. Hopkins (Woods) is a great example, as he seems to be a crude knuckle-dragger but he can relate to Lesley Ann Warren's feminist book store owner. He shows great sensitivity when it comes to her problems, though he only fakes it to solve his case. He is driven to do whatever it takes to catch the killer, even if he has to pretend to be a sensitive guy.
Hopkins has a good rapport with his young daughter who begs him to tell her 'bedtime stories.' She is a chip off the old block. His wife, however, finds the stories deeply disturbing, as they are about his cases, and grittily realistic. James Woods' specialty is playing intense, driven characters, who blur the line between good and evil. This cop is no exception, except that this is an exceptionally good Woods performance.

Lesley Ann Warren played a feminist writer/book store owner with a traumatic past that may hold the key to the mystery. She also gives great nuance in her performance. L.A. Warren was very supportive of the James Woods 'tour de brute force.'

Charles Haid was a cop on Hill Street Blues. He is a cop, here, too, but with a twist. Another excellent performance. Charles Durning also usually plays police officers, and he is one here, but still his performance is worthy of mention.

Don't let the generic title fool you. Great performances, writing, authentic locations, and non-stop action made "Cop" riveting from start to finish.

The Onion Field (1979) This is the breakthrough role for James Woods. He played a cold blooded cop killer in this film based on the book by former cop turned novelist Joseph Wambaugh.

Salvador (Special Edition) (1986) Woods' portrayal of a journalist in El Salvador garnered him an Oscar nomination. Directed by Oliver Stone.

Nixon - Collector's Edition (1995) Woods was a very convincing H.R. Haldeman in Nixon, also directed by Oliver Stone.

Dirty Pictures (2000) This made-for-TV dramatization/documentary of the flap caused by a Robert Maplethorpe photography exhibition in Cincinnati starred Woods as museum director Dennis Barrie.

The Boost (1988) Woods was Lenny Brown, a salesman who turns to coke for the "boost that refreshes." Sean Young played his wife, which led to much backstage drama, restraining orders, and bizarre charges of voodoo, even.

Secretary (2002) Lesley Ann Warren was Joan Holloway. James Spader played a very demanding boss, but Lesley Ann Warren was not his secretary. Maggie Gyllenhaal was assigned that task.

The Quickie (2001) Lesley Ann Warren was Anna. Don't know what this movie was about, but I'll wager a quick guess.

Pure Country (1992) Lesley Ann Warren was Lula Rogers, the ruthless manager of country singer Dusty, played by George Strait.

Songwriter (1984) Lesley Ann Warren was Gilda in this country music saga that also starred Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. Directed by Alan Rudolph.

Choose Me (1984) Lesley Ann Warren was Eve. Directed by Alan Rudolph. Rudolph seems to choose Lesley every chance he gets. She rarely disappoints. Wish I could say the same for Rudolph, the red-faced director.



Brilliant Film
2008-07-22 - James Woods and James B Harris made a brilliant film out of James Ellroy's
" Blood On The Moon". Outstanding supporting cast as well.Charles Durning once again turns in a stellar co-starring role.
This is a must see, one of James Woods very best.


Quality film-making
2008-01-18 - I've just watched this movie again having not seen it for at least 15 years. I wasn't dissapointed. Its a cracking film which relies on a good story by James Ellroy (L.A. Confidential was also by him), quality acting, and the screen presence of James Woods to keep you riveted to the screen. Unlike most modern films this is not full of CGI effects, car chases and explosions.

Woods plays a Sergeant in the LAPD who believes he is on the trail of a serial killer. Rather like Eastwoods Harry Callaghan Wood's character is a maverick who will stop at nothing to get his man. This is an 18 certificate and there is a lot of implied sexual violence and quite a lot of fake blood on display. This all done quite subtley though and the gory scenes are mostly brief.

I watched this film and The Bourne Ultimatum back to back. Whilst their film-making styles are completly different, and Cop was filmed 20 years ago, it certainly merits comparison with the latter film. I have no hestitation in recommending the film.


Interesting 80's Curiosity
2007-03-05 - The maverick cop sub-genre had been done to death in the 1970's, but this didn't stop James B. Harris and James Woods concocting this imitative thriller. There is nothing new in "Cop", but that doesn't mean it isn't worth a watch. I'm of the opinion that any film that Woods appears in is never totally a dead loss. All the elements are present, a broken family life, a pariah in his own department, a cop who works outside the rules, a psycho murderer leaving clues written in blood. Woods plays the role with his usual wisecracking intensity and is good value for money. The difference I suppose this film has is its exploration of feminist ideologies, but there are far too many ambiguities within the convoluted plot for any sense too be made of them. Ultimately like most of these cop thrillers, it is a tale of revenge, a case of the return of the repressed, as forgotten memories resurface to the top. James B. Harris is perhaps best known for his short production partnership with Stanley Kubrick in the late 1950's early 60's. From the evidence here, he should strictly stick to production. The film suffers from a visual flatness and very unimaginative direction, ultimately given the impression of a made for TV movie. With anyone else at the helm this could have become an impressive production, but too many elements jar and the film lacks a totalising cohesion. Nevertheless despite these shortcomings "Cop" is an interesting curiosity, which is worth a watch.