A decently constructed cop drama that has all of the elements to qualify for inclusion in that genre, "One Tough Cop" is an okay, but mostly uneventful yarn. Based on the real life exploits of NYPD cop Bo Dietl -- and his subsequent autobiography about them -- this picture will most likely quickly disappear, without much fanfare, from the theaters for a somewhat better life on home video.
Establishing itself as something of a morality play where the protagonist must choose between serving the city, helping his partner, or remaining loyal to his longtime mob associates, the film benefits from this setup, but never takes those elements far enough to become the tantalizing dramatic thriller it wants to be.
From the standard-issue, suspenseful opening where Dietl -- an older and more filled out Stephen Baldwin ("Fled," "The Usual Suspects") who's looking and apparently trying to act more like his better known older brother, Alec -- proves he's a tough and resourceful cop, all the way to the climatic finale, the film has all of the necessary material for a first class drama, but never quite manages to pull it off in a compelling fashion.
We understand, and can appreciate the dilemma in which that the protagonist finds himself, but we never feel for his character. That omission, based on the fact that we never really like the guy and that little of the material feels like it has much weight to it, prevents us from really caring about what happens.
Sure, the proceedings are easy enough to watch and never approach being boring, but they're missing the electricity or zing that should be there. We should care that Bo's career is in jeopardy, or that his mob friends might eventually put the hit on him, but very little tension ever arises during the film.
Director Bruno Barreto ("Four Days in September") and screenwriter Jeremy Iacone (who cowrote the little seen "Bound By Honor") have taken the real-life Dietl's work and, according to the credits, fictionalized everyone else but the detective.
The inclusion of the true instance of a real life nun being beaten and raped is horrific in concept, but the filmmakers don't bring much of that to the screen, and the detectives' investigation into finding the culprits never unfolds as much more than what's seen on your average TV cop drama. While that works on the small screen, its bigger theatrical cousin needs a little more pizzaz, but this film never manages to deliver that.
The performances, while not outstanding, are all solid and do a decent job of holding one's attention throughout the film. Baldwin, playing the stereotypically scruffy undercover cop, is okay in his role, but isn't capable (partially due to the script) of bringing much depth to his character. While we understand his problems, we never know much about him other than how he reacts to any particular circumstance.
As the troubled and gambling addicted partner, Chris Penn ("Deceiver," "Reservoir Dogs") delivers a solid performance, while low budget film auteur Edward Burns' favorite actor Mike McGlone ("The Brother's McMullen," "She's The One") is decent as the longtime mafioso friend. The only real disappointment is Gina Gershon ("Face/Off," "Bound") who seemingly appears in the film just to be the pretty face amongst all of the rough looking guys. While she's okay in her limited role, there's not much there with which she can work.
In addition, her romance with Bo seems more like an added plot contrivance than a naturally occurring element of the story, and the filmmakers certainly don't pursue the potential danger of such a liaison (with her being the mob guy's mistress) as far as they could have for maximum dramatic effect.
Despite some occasionally stereotypical and often lame exchanges of dialogue ("F*ck you!" No, f*ck you!"), and the less than spectacular execution of the material, the film still manages to be interesting like a good TV cop drama often is. While it will be another one of those effortlessly forgotten films that quickly disappears onto home video and cable TV, it's still an okay yarn. We give "One Tough Cop" a 5 out of 10.
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