copland

The reason I like movies so much is simple. Escapism. Step away from the ordinary and let
yourself absorb a story that is outside your everyday grind. So it is not often that I really enjoy a
film set in modern day under entirely ordinary circumstances. It’s even harder for me to enjoy a
contemporary setting if the film is a drama. But every now and again, a realistic film comes along
that is so well crafted that it manages to break free of its seemingly mundane setting. “Cop Land” is
one of those films.

A corrupt group of New York City cops have established a quiet, exclusive community in Garrison,
New Jersey where they can live with their families away from the inner city. So who enforces the law
in a community of cops? Freddy Heflin is the local sheriff who could never be a New York cop on
account of his being deaf in one ear. Heflin’s job is pretty meaningless in a town full of law
enforcement and no one really takes him seriously. When a young, decorated cop accidentally kills
two black juveniles, the Garrison-dwelling cops embark on an elaborate cover-up that begins with a
fake death and ends with ties to the Mob. Heflin begins seeing the quiet community for the viper’s
nest that it really is and begins asking questions. Questions that could quickly get him killed.

There is a lot going on in this film and I do not want to give too much away. Plus, the intricacies of
the plot really need to be seen to be appreciated. The story spider webs around itself in what Mike
would call a “slow burn” as Heflin begins to uncover tidbits of information that begin to add up to a
sinister whole. The truth ends up being not only shocking, but also ruptures Heflin’s sense of his
entire world and makes him question his friends, his job and his principles.

This movie succeeds because it involves a strong, complicated story and couples it with a strong,
complicated cast. Sylvester Stallone dispels all the negative criticism of his career and shows us he
can act in what is arguably his best role ever. His portrayal of Heflin as a slightly slow, simple, yet
ultimately good person caught up in the harsh lies of the corrupt is captivating. Watching him go
from a cop-worshipping pushover to a disillusioned man driven by the will to do something right is
subtlety executed and ultimately effective. Surround him with solid talent like Ray Liotta and Robert
Patrick, then cap the whole thing off with powerhouses like Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel and
you get a cast that positively radiates raw energy.

All of these factors culminate into a cleverly conceived and rock solid cop drama with an implosive
climax. See it.