Internal Affairs

This film was tailor made for Richard Gere. I have always thought that even though he's a decent actor, he is at his best when he plays cold, evil characters. Basically, Andy Garcia plays an ambitious IAD cop that is out to get Gere who is a dirty cop. This would be a spoiler but since the trailers already gave this up I find no problem in revealing it!!! I wouldn't really call it a thriller because there is no mystery as to who Gere is. The movie is really a study of the 2 cops. Gere is the obvious villain, but he fancies himself as a loving family man who loves children. On the other hand Garcia is married , with no children and seems to be cold and self-centered. Even though the movie puts him as the quote hero, he really isn't a likable guy, he neglects his wife, he is also presented as a Latin macho guy. I guess that Mike Figgis wanted the "2 sides of the same coin" thing between Gere and Garcia. It works to a point, but there comes a point in the film where it all gets a little too ridiculous to be really effective. Gere gets to a point that he is so bad that you would think that all he would need is to grow horns!!! It is more style than substance. The movie is never boring, it keeps your attention , but is not truly engaging. The saving grace is Laurie Metcalf, she plays the ONLY likable character in the film. It isn't great, but it is entertaining on a sleazy soap opera level. Grade: C+

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Internal Affairs

Bad cops abound in "Internal Affairs", a pulpy thriller by Mike Figgis. The film stars Andy Garcia as an Internal Affairs agent who locks horns with Richard Gere's Dennis Peck. Peck's a womanizer and crooked cop with much blood on his hands. Garcia tries to take him down. "Internal Affairs" is at its best during its early, low key moments. Unfortunately the film quickly goes into over-the-top territory, with ridiculous gun fights and much melodrama. Sidney Lumet's the king of this genre, with films like "Q and A", "Serpico" and "Prince of the City". Figgis can't compete. 6/10 – Worth one viewing. See Garcia instead in "Jennifer 8".

Veteran beat cop Dennis Peck (Richard Gere) plants a weapon after rookie Dorian Fletcher shoots an unarmed man. Peck's partner Van Stretch (William Baldwin) is unstable with family troubles and drug abuse. Peck is cheating with Van's wife Penny. Raymond Avilla (Andy Garcia) is new to Internal Affairs at the LAPD. With his training officer Amy Wallace (Laurie Metcalf), they start investigating Peck and Van Stretch. Raymond's wife Kathy (Nancy Travis) runs a modern art gallery. Their relationship is under pressure. Richard Gere plays a great villain. It's good that he's not a cartoon character. Like all great villains, he thinks he's the good guy. Andy Garcia has his intensity. I don't really like the turn in his relationship with his wife. His irrational jealousy should be set up better. It's not enough for Peck to show up with her panties. He could be a jealous husband right from the start. Nevertheless, he's a good foil to Gere.

"Internal Affairs" is a solid cop thriller with a great cast; not only the two leads, but also with notable performances from Nancy Travis and Laurie Metcalf. It's a wicked game of psychological warfare as I.A. detective Andy Garcia goes up against corrupt LAPD cop Richard Gere. But Gere isn't the usual bribe-taking sort of dirty. No-ho-ho, he's the kind of villainous monster that plays mind-games, manipulates and torments his enemies. And he's got that face that just knows how to sway between smarmy and vindictive prick with ease. It's not the larger-than-life performance of, say, Denzel Washington in "Training Day", but it is the kind you see in your nightmares. The wolf in sheep's clothing you don't see coming. You just want to punch the teeth out of this guy. It's a sick and twisted brand of villainy that allows Gere to steal the show. Good movie. Slow burn, but not boring. 7/10

Meet Dennis Peck, a real live sociopath. And he's got a badge and a gun. This character might be one of the most truly evil creations in the movies. On the surface, he seems like a terrific guy, a wonderful dad who plays with his kids on his days off. Even his ex-wives like him. But he's used his influence and his skill at manipulating people to create a virtual empire of wealth and power. Andy Garcia is excellent as Raymond Avila, who stumbles across this web and begins to dismantle it. The level of supporting actors is fantastic, much better than most movies. Standouts include Nancy Travis as Andy's wife, Laurie ("Roseanne") Metcalf as his partner, and a young William Baldwin as Peck's partner. I rate this movie 8 out of 10.

The subject here (police corruption) is banal, but it gains extra value and weight by Figgis' atmospheric direction and, especially, by Richard Gere's powerful performance in perhaps his most atypical role (and as far as I know, his only truly villainous one). After watching him in this film, I don't know how some people can still doubt that he's a talented actor as well an attractive star. The rest of the cast is also good. The finale, however, is somewhat disappointing. (**1/2)