Today’s quick review: Internal Affairs. Raymond Avilla (Andy Garcia), the newest member of Internal Affairs, makes a dangerous breakthrough when he identifies Dennis Peck (Richard Gere) as a dirty cop. Together with his partner, Amy Wallace (Laurie Metcalf), Raymond hunts for the evidence he needs to put Dennis away. But Dennis proves to be a resourceful foe and retaliates by attacking Raymond’s relationship with his wife Kathleen (Nancy Travis).
Internal Affairs is a crime drama about a crooked cop and the officer determined to catch him. The movie follows Raymond as he tries to outmaneuver Dennis, doing whatever it takes to get hard proof of Dennis’ corruption but sacrificing his personal life in the process. The twists of the case, Dennis’ manipulative charm, and the strained relationship between Raymond and Kathleen give Internal Affairs plenty of dramatic heft.
However, Internal Affairs is not as darkly captivating as it tries to be. Raymond makes for a fine protagonist, but his marital troubles feel forced. Dennis is a canny and dangerous villain, but also a petty one, more concerned with emasculating Raymond than covering his tracks. The tension between them and the mechanics of the investigation do lead to a fruitful plot, but the film has a hard time escalating to the finale, instead just coasting.
The end result is a crime drama with a dark tone and a promising plot, but without the skill to make the most of them. Fans of the personal side of the genre may want to give it a shot, especially for Richard Gere’s unsettling performance as Dennis. But those hoping for a fulfilling investigation, a more direct conflict, or a dark journey with a richer sense of catharsis may want to look elsewhere.
For an even more nuanced mystery surrounding the Los Angeles Police Department, try L.A. Confidential. For another tale of police corruption, try Brooklyn’s Finest or Dark Blue. For more sharply executed crime drama with a charismatic villain, try Training Day. For a dark hunt for a serial killer that puts a similar strain on a detective’s home life, try Se7en.
6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for a decently constructed plot with a mixed payoff.