Un bon flic

Michael Keaton is good, as usual, in the role of Artie Lewis, an NYPD detective who must endure one of the time-honoured cliches of the cop drama: the death of his partner (Anthony LaPaglia). However, LaPaglia was the single dad to three adorable daughters, and in his will he had given custody of the girls to Artie and his wife (Rene Russo). They do prove to be good parental figures (she'd been unable to bear her own children), but all of the problems facing them (inadequate housing for the new family, and a supposed dearth of funds) prompt Artie to do something crooked for once: rob a drug dealer (an effectively smooth and slimy Tony Plana).

The script by veteran screenwriter Heywood Gould ("Rolling Thunder", "Fort Apache, the Bronx") has its share of problems; not only is it predictable and manipulative, but it's scarcely believable. Too many story twists are hard to buy, especially that ridiculous ending. The film is still reasonably entertaining in a visceral way, and Gould maintains an effective forward momentum; Keaton and his excellent supporting cast are so compulsively watchable that they compensate for a fair bit. "One Good Cop" has some decent action, and violence, and makes good use of some NYC locations.

Keaton is compelling in the lead. While you may not always find his character credible, there's no doubt that the star will always be able to do some true heavy lifting, both comedically and dramatically. The rest of the cast plays like a who's who of Hollywood players: Russo, LaPaglia, Kevin Conway, Rachel Ticotin, Plana, Benjamin Bratt, Charlayne Woodard, Victor Rivers, Mike Hagerty, J.E. Freeman, Kevin Corrigan, Vondie Curtis-Hall, etc.

Highly recommended to Michael Keaton fans, even in light of the flaws.

Six out of 10.

This is an excellent movie that surprised me at every turn. It felt like watching someones real life, with up and downs and real decisions. One Good Cop is an uplifting story about a good person with difficult decisions to make. After the death of his partner Keaton and his wife (Rene Russo) are given custody of his three girls. Keaton cannot afford three kids and foster care will split the kids up. The decision that Keaton makes is brutal but for people who are desperate sometimes something brutal is the only solution. I had never heard of this movie before but it has become one of my favorites. Michael Keaton gives a great performance the entire way through. This is a 4 for 4 star movie.

Micheal Keaton is one of my favorite actors for a few reasons, Batman, Batman Returns, one good cop , & johnny dangerously kinda gives u the impression that hes cool, calm & collective, but under the surface hes a razor sharp bad-ass. Keaton delivers a heart warming story about a good cop who is faced with putting food on the table for his family and has had enough with bad guys shooting at cops. Keaton does whats right to obtain justice , i mean hey we gave cops a badge to do the right things above the rest of us didn't we? so why waste another tax dollar on your ordinary fat cat cop eating donuts doing Dilly squat, next time just hire........ " one good cop"

Michael Keaton and wife Rene Russo want to adopt Anthony LaPaglia's three young daughters after he is killed on duty with partner Keaton by his side in this dull, slow-moving and uninteresting little film. The typical problems arise as the couple need money to move to a larger place before they can legally claim guardianship of the girls. Could this mean that Keaton will get involved in crooked dealings to get the cash they so desperately need? Predictable and amazingly cheap-looking film that just never does generate any drama or real intrigue. 2 stars out of 5.

As usual, Michael Keaton delivers an excellent performance. Whether the scene calls for humor, pathos or action, he's your man every time. I watch his face and body language closely in every one of his films, and he is always up to the demands of every role. He is as good an actor as any of the most celebrated stars, past or present, but is underappreciated. Also note his loyalty (or that of others to him), in employing the same people for assistance in many or most films. This is a guy who will bring you to tears with laughter or sadness, just in the way he portrays the character. His scene in his superior's office when he thought his career (and life as he'd known it) were over, was excellent - subtle, but he brought out how a person in the position would feel. Yes, this is a light movie, but heavy on quality, because of Michael Keaton. I'll continue to watch, enjoy and be amazed at his work, time after time.