As a cinephile with a deep appreciation for gritty dramas, I found myself utterly engrossed by the raw and unapologetic portrayal of corruption in Cop Land. The film, much like the morally ambiguous characters it presents, leaves no stone unturned in its exploration of police brutality, cover-ups, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.
The 1990s posed quite a challenge for Sylvester Stallone, as only four of the twelve films he starred in during that period received positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the general public’s appreciation for his work didn’t seem to be affected by the critical response, ensuring that his popularity and influence continued to thrive. It is worth noting that this was also a time when Stallone devoted significant creative energy to his craft. Previously, he was primarily recognized as an action star, so he expanded his filmography by appearing in movies like the dystopian thriller “Demolition Man” and the survival thriller “Cliffhanger.” While these films were financially successful, they did not receive the critical acclaim that Stallone had hoped for.
Reviewing Stallone’s films from the ’90s, you’ll find plenty of entertaining options for a relaxed Sunday watch. However, “Cop Land” distinguishes itself as his most comprehensive work. In this film, Stallone delivers an outstanding, slippery-smiling performance, bolstered by other skilled actors. The movie was praised by critics and performed exceptionally well at the box office, earning $64 million on a budget of just $15 million. Nearly three decades later, James Mangold’s “Cop Land” remains a powerful crime drama that shines a harsh light on corruption within the ranks of law enforcement.
The NYPD Have a Sort of Shangri-La in Cop Land
As a film enthusiast, I’d say that in “Cop Land,” I found myself immersed in the world of Sheriff Freddy Heflin (Sylvester Stallone), who governs a small New Jersey town predominantly inhabited by NYPD officers. These off-duty cops wield considerable influence over the locals, and Freddy, with an admiration bordering on hero worship, chooses to overlook their activities.
But why are NYPD members choosing to reside in New Jersey? This living arrangement seems to be influenced by a historical trend from the 1970s where many officers preferred to live outside the city. During that time, only transit police were permitted to live outside New York City as the Transit Authority was jointly managed by both New Jersey and Connecticut.
To become eligible for the exemption, several officers chose to work extra hours at subway stations. Their goal was to have the city classify them as auxiliary transit police officers. Consequently, they acquired property in Jersey and established a Shangri-La for themselves, a place where the NYPD’s Internal Affairs division would find it difficult to supervise them.
In the film “Cop Land,” the officers, led by acting greats like Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Harvey Keitel, indulge in the benefits of residing in this idyllic haven. They strike deals with criminals, mete out punishment to those who cross them, and conceal crimes that could potentially tarnish their reputations.
It eventually becomes clear that Freddy possesses a small sense of moral compass, leading him to reconsider his connections and adopt a more conventional “tough as nails” approach due to the unpleasant incidents he encounters.
Cop Land Ignores Hollywood’s “Copaganda” Narrative
In movies set in Hollywood, the police are often portrayed as heroic figures who uphold justice and punish villains. However, these films tend to gloss over many issues related to law enforcement, such as misconduct or corruption within the system. The reality is that the law enforcement-industrial complex can have problematic aspects, as depicted in films like “Cop Land.” It’s important to remember that not all police officers are heroes, and even those with good intentions may be led astray by the power they wield.
In the movie, our sheriff, Freddy, who should be the hero, is shown doing something questionable first. When he’s out of quarters while playing pinball in a bar, he instinctively breaks into a parking meter to get some change. Officer Gary “Figgsy” Figgis (played by Ray Liotta) just laughs at this act, suggesting it’s common behavior among the police. Interestingly, Figgsy is a cocaine addict himself, but his job often involves apprehending drug dealers.
In this case, there are officials who manipulated the system for personal advantage, securing preferential housing. It’s also worth noting that they have ties to organized crime.
In this movie, the most obvious depiction of police corruption unfolds through its main storyline. Specifically, Officer Murray “Superboy” Babitch (played by Michael Rapaport) encounters a harrowing situation where he’s hit by two young black men in a car, one of whom appears to have a weapon. In the heat of the moment, Superboy shoots both of them dead. Upon arrival, his fellow officers try to hide the truth by stashing a gun in the teens’ vehicle and suggesting that Superboy stage his own suicide. The cover-up escalates even higher, eventually implicating the mayor himself, who is forced by the police union to halt any further investigations into the incident.
In the movie, it’s rare to witness anyone taking a stance against wrongdoing. The film portrays a world riddled with corruption, and the malicious police officers fail to grow beyond their sullen criminality due to the lack of repercussions for their actions. As the story unfolds, we are presented with additional shocking disclosures. For instance, it’s revealed that the 37th precinct has been involved in drug trafficking, and one officer even set fire to a building to collect insurance money. These disturbing events aren’t merely cinematic exaggerations; they reflect real-life incidents where police officers have engaged in similar activities, as evidenced by numerous documented cases.
Stallone Feels Cop Land Made Him a Dodo Bird
As reported by Variety, Sylvester Stallone chose to act in “Cop Land” as he yearned to be recognized more for his acting abilities. His powerful and emotional portrayal of a conflicted sheriff left us deeply invested in his character. To prepare for this role, the actor significantly increased his weight by 40 pounds, immersing himself in the intricacies of law enforcement. This dedication was well-received, with his performance garnering widespread acclaim. Yet, Stallone believes that “Cop Land” signaled the start of a downward trend in his career.
In a 2019 interview with the same publication, he explained:
Working with Mangold was an unparalleled experience for me, yet his film proved to be unusual. It received positive critical acclaim, but unfortunately, it didn’t perform well financially at the box office. This seemed to reinforce the perception that my moment in the spotlight had passed, and I was on a downward trajectory like the dodo bird and the Tasmanian tiger.
In comparison to the broader film industry, $64 million wasn’t a small earning, but it fell short of Sylvester Stallone’s typical success. His earlier work, “Daylight,” had grossed nearly $200 million, albeit receiving negative reviews from critics. However, this new movie received favorable critiques, yet didn’t match the impressive box office figures of its predecessor.
In my opinion, it was quite disheartening to learn that the esteemed director James Mangold, who skillfully drew exceptional performances from his gifted actors, harbored some reservations about Sylvester Stallone taking the main role. He believed that the film’s impact would have been more profound if a relatively unknown actor had been chosen instead.
I’m extremely pleased with the film and its concepts, yet there was an aspect that posed a challenge during production. Originally, I envisioned the main character as someone unknown to most, so their transformation into a hero wouldn’t seem like typical Hollywood casting.
It’s quite unexpected that Mangold chose to pass up the chance to collaborate with a star, given that many filmmakers starting out in the industry usually seize such opportunities. However, his movie still stands as a piece of enduring and classic cinema.
Cop Land
is available to stream in the US on Paramount+
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2024-11-02 03:32