Today’s quick review: Cop Car. Travis (James Freedson-Jackson) and Harrison (Hays Wellford) are running away from home when they make the discovery of a lifetime: an empty police car with the keys still inside. The boys decide to take advantage of the situation and take the car for a ride. But what they don’t know is that the car belongs to Sheriff Mitch Kretzer (Kevin Bacon), a cop with something to hide, who will do anything to get it back.
Cop Car is a minimalistic crime drama with elements of black comedy. The movie follows two boys on a dangerous joyride and the dirty cop determined to catch them. Cop Car draws its tension from Mitch’s hunt for the boys, as well as the mystery of just what he was up to out in the wilderness. The film also has a splash of humor, thanks to the childlike innocence of Travis and Harrison. Solid acting and an original premise give Cop Car some potential.
But in spite of these strengths, Cop Car feels unfinished. The plot moves slowly, focusing more on the mechanics of Mitch’s hunt and the boys’ joyride than on trying to set up anything larger. There are no dramatic revelations, no secondary plot threads, and no climactic finale to tie everything together in a clever way. The movie does have a twist or two to raise the stakes, but these aren’t enough to make it feel like a complete story.
Cop Car is worth a watch if you’re a fan of the crime genre and interested in something experimental. Its minimalistic premise holds some appeal, and the acting from its small cast is enough to sell the story. But the plot simply doesn’t have enough meat on its bones to satisfy most viewers. Those curious in what the film has to offer may want to give it a shot. Those looking for a full story will want to skip it.
For a minimalistic crime drama with a darker tone and a more rewarding plot, try Blood Simple. For a darker tale of a bad man in the middle of nowhere, try Mojave. For an action thriller about a man in the wrong car, try Vehicle 19. For a more heartfelt encounter between a boy and a criminal, try Mud.
6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for decent execution of a premise that’s too limited for its own good.