Bon Cop, Bad Cop

It's rare that a Canadian movie has people talking like this one. What other subjects than the so-called rivalry between Ontario and Québec could have made a better film? Add to that our national sports, hockey, and you've got a winner. It's a winner also because it's funny, especially the first half. The location where the first body is found is hilarious! Patrick Huard and Colm Feore are both doing an excellent job. They're supported by a great cast. I especially like Pierre Lebeau. That guy knows how to swear! Of course, it's full of clichés and stereotypes that the population from the two provinces (English and French) have of the other. But that's why it's so funny. I hope this film does very well at the box-office. My guess though is that people from outside Canada will not find it as interesting. But too bad! Seen in Toronto, at the Beach Cinemas, on August 18th, 2006.

79/100 (***)

Bon Cop, Bad Cop is probably the best movie I've seen in awhile. What struck me to most was that the chemistry between Patick Huard (Bouchard)and Colm Feore (Ward) was very believable, and the dialogue was very human. The characters were never "exposition-y" and spoke like real people. I also liked that both characters are bilingual, not going for the cheap/insulting digs of "stupid English doesn't understand french" or vice versa. Viewers, of course, do not need to understand french to know exactly what's going on or being said. In fact, there is an entire tutorial on swearing in french given by Bouchard fairly early on in the film which some might find educational.

There are some hilarious digs at hockey culture: the entire character of Harry Buttman being the most obvious; but it never descends into forced jokes or "strategic" set-ups a la Will Ferrell.

Though it is a very Quebec film, it deserves a wide audience.

"Bon Cop, Bad Cop" was fun to watch. It carried a typical story, but it was played out so well that it didn't matter. In my opinion, it succeeded quite well in bringing in the typical "cliché" traits that are given to Ontarians and Quebeckers. The fact that the film was bilingual was something new and something exciting, and the subtitles didn't affect the movie at all, it even made it better. The cast was very convincing and very real.

Patrick Huard succeeded in portraying his role as a light-hearted Quebecker and helped take the stress off of some events with his good sense of humor. Louis-José Houde played a small role but couldn't keep the audience from laughing. This movie is definitely a must-see, especially if you're a fan of Patrick Huard or Louis-José Houde!

When the body of the executive of hockey Benoir Brisset is found on the billboard of the border of Quebec and Ontario, the jurisdiction of the crime is shared between the two police forces and detectives David Bouchard (Patrick Huard) from Montreal and Martin Ward (Colm Feore) from Toronto are assigned to work together. With totally different styles, attitudes and languages, the reckless David and the ethical Martin join force to disclose the identity of the Tattoo Killer, a deranged serial-killer that is killing managers of hockey.

"Bon Cop Bad Cop" is a sort of parody to "Lethal Weapon", exploring the rivalry in Canada between Quebec and Ontario and the passion of Canadians for hockey. The film is a hilarious police story, using the common clichés of two different cops that become partners but in very funny situations. In the deleted scenes there is one particular showing the two families together that should have been used in the final edition. I liked this film a lot, but I believe it is funnier for Canadians and fans of hockey. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Bon Cop Bad Cop"

A movie with two languages ... french and english. And it's mixed, so different/multiple characters speak both languages. So you have to focus on what they say if you know both languages or on the subtitles if you have issues with at least one of those. But it's ok and it works, because it does feel more alive for being that way.

Speaking of more alive: we do get treated on some personal stuff of both protagonists. Some is not really necessary for the story, but it's there. And because it didn't have to be made for general audiences (it has an R rating in America), it does contain blood, profanity and even nudity. The latter is cut together in a very funny, yet sexy way. There are some bumps when it comes to the story, but the actors had so much fun with their roles, it really shines through to the audience. Enjoy this crazy ride ...