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One Tough Cop (1998)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 12/21

12/21: One Tough Cop sure disappointed me with the ending.

The whole time I was watching the movie, I had been under the impression it was based on fact. Then, I was smacked with the all-time letdown: "Except for the character of Bo Dietl, all characters and events depicted in this film are fictional." Why not put that disclaimer at the beginning or just cease using his name?

It's relevant because everything Bo Dietl and his partner did in the film is 100% illegal. If what happened turned out to be true, well...it's not something one will want to be associated with. Now, the issue is moot, so I will focus on the fictional part and all.

One thing I'll say is it's an absorbing police drama. The movie moves well. Despite making many poor career choices, Stephen Baldwin does a good job, and it may be his best work. Chris Penn is merely okay, but his character isn't likeable, reminding me of Harvey Keitel in Bad Lieutenant which came first by six years.

I love how the trailer of One Tough Cop made a mention of the following films: Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Scarface, Sea of Love, and Carlito's Way. What's an obvious link connecting them? They all starred Al Pacino. Is he in One Tough Cop? No.

All in all, if any of the real life stories about Bo Dietl, who's one of the most decorated officers in NYPD history, isn't good enough for print, then I shudder to think everything I've seen in policiers has been fictional.

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