Movie Type: Psychological Thriller, Police Detective Film
Themes: Rogue Cops, Woman In Jeopardy, Serial Killers
Main Cast: James Woods, Lesley Ann Warren, Charles Durning, Charles Haid, Raymond J. Barry, Randi Brooks
Release Year: 1987
Country: US
Run Time: 110 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Based on James Ellroy's novel Blood on the Moon, Cop is a grim, brutally violent, darkly humorous modern-day film noir. Lloyd Hopkins (James Woods), is an obsessive, amoral LAPD police detective investigating a murder he believes to have been the work of a serial killer. Hopkins is cynical and obsessed with the way society fills women's heads with fairy-tale promises of romance. "Innocence kills," he sneers. "I see it every day." His investigation leads him to the bookstore of a writer of feminist poetry (Lesley Ann Warren) who has for some time been receiving gifts of poems and flowers from an unknown admirer. Hopkins, looking through her diaries, realizes that the dates of the gifts correspond to the dates of the murders, and he begins a hunt for the killer which leads to a violent and exciting conclusion. Cop is completely absorbing because of Woods' chillingly effective performance. Few actors can make an amoral, clever, sardonic, and vicious character as appealing as Hopkins. As Hopkins, Woods combines complex contradictions with ease, showing the various sides of his character's personality. Cop, while singularly unpleasant is always insightful and fascinating. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
Review
This oft-overlooked James Woods vehicle is a challenging but memorable thriller. Cop has two very strong things going for it. The first is that the film convincingly captures the seedy side of Los Angeles, making the atmosphere of failed dreams gone sour palpable without ever overplaying its hand. The other is an amazing, totally committed performance by James Woods, who effortlessly convinces the audience of his character's all-consuming need to punish evil, no matter the cost to him or those in his way. That said, Cop is so focused on its hero and his dark obsessions that it might alienate a good portion of its potential viewers. The film makes no attempts to disguise the fact that Lloyd Hopkins' obsessions have made him cross the line into amorality, and most of the other characters are portrayed as either contemptible (Charles Haid's corrupt cop) or pitiful (Lesley Ann Warren's emotionally damaged poet). That said, the supporting performances are good across the board: Haid and Warren make the most of their limited roles and Charles Durning is convincing and likeable as Woods' seen-it-all mentor. Also, the film's refusal to back off from its twisted vision inspires a certain respect in anyone who can appreciate cultish, left-of-center fare. Ultimately, Cop might be a bit too nihilistic for those used to more conventional cop drama fare but it's well worth the time for those thick-skinned viewers who can stick with its tough agenda. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Steve Lambert - Bobby Franco; Annie McEnroe - Amy Cranfield; Vicki Wauchope - Penny Hopkins; Matt Almond - Punk; Helen Page Camp - Estelle Peltz; Melinda Lynch - Sarah Smith; Rick Marotta - Wilson; Jan McGill - Jen Hopkins; Randy Pelish - Employee; Dennis Stewart - Lawrence "Birdman" Henderson; Jim Wilkey - Watchman; Jimmy Woodard - Robber; Christopher Wynne - Jack Gibbs; John Petievich - Deputy; Michael V. Allen - Harry; Christopher Blane - Punk; Banks Harper - Teddy Bailey; Scott Sandler - Detective
Credit
Pamela Rack - Casting, John Petievich - Consultant/advisor, James B. Harris - Co-producer, James Woods - Co-producer, Gale Parker-Smith - Costume Designer, Richard Wells - First Assistant Director, James B. Harris - Director, Anthony Spano - Editor, Michael Rosenblatt - Executive Producer, Thomas Coleman - Executive Producer, Michel Colombier - Composer (Music Score), Deborah Figuly - Makeup, Gene Rudolf - Production Designer, Steve Dubin - Cinematographer, Mikael Salomon - Cinematographer, Kathy Curtis Cahill - Set Designer, Larry Fioritto - Special Effects, Bill Myer - Special Effects, Denver Mattson - Stunts, Steve Kelso - Stunts, Lisa McCullough - Stunts, James B. Harris - Screenwriter, James Ellroy - Book Author
After killing a witness, disturbed LAPDdetective Lloyd Hopkins (James Woods) is suspended by his superiors. However, he becomes increasingly convinced that a series of murders he's recently been working on have some sort of connection, and, alone and unarmed, goes on the trail of a serial killer. Over the course of the investigation he crosses swords with a feministbookshop manager (Lesley Ann Warren), whose old high schoolyearbook may hold a vital clue to the mystery...
Reception
The film was reasonably well received by critics, in spite of some controversy regarding its violence and perceived racism and misogyny.[citation needed] James Ellroy himself was disgusted by the final product and refused to have anything to do with it.[citation needed]
