I wanted Joe Carnahan’s latest, Copshop, to be one of those quality, small movies that didn’t get the attention it deserved during the pandemic because it wasn’t a blockbuster. More people were likely to risk a theater visit for a tent pole spectacle or the next entry in a cinematic universe, but not really for a smaller action movie.
But instead, it’s an example of what can happen to a movie filmed and released during a pandemic. Copshop had a lot of potential (experienced writer director, committed performance by a new actor, etc.) that didn’t coalesce into a lean, mean piece of action cinema. This resulting disappointment deserves a proper autopsy to see how things may have gone wrong.
Conman Teddy Murretto (Frank Grillo) gets arrested in order to hide out in a small jail cell, but hitman Bob Viddick (Gerard Butler) follows suit in order take out Murretto. Both end up in cells across from one at a precinct where new Officer Valerie Young (Alexis Louder) happens to be working. This trio is the centerpiece of the film, with their shifting relationships and backstories being the most interesting part of the film. All the other side characters are pretty forgettable, though.
Though not perfect, Alexis Louder’s performance is a joy to watch. Her dedication to her role is the best part of this film and a huge contrast to Butler, who seems to be phoning it in. Grillo brings his normal intensity to his character, whose screen time was cut for current version of the film. The actor took to Instagram to decry the current cut of the film and his character’s lack of development, which was reportedly not the version that director Carnahan intended. This could also be the reason behind the movie’s tonal inconsistencies.
So there’s apparently a different cut of the film, which may be one reason for this being a COVID movie casualty. Another reason was COVID itself. During the film’s production in 2020, someone on the crew contracted the disease and production halted for three days. This may be the reason why scenes in the film hint at cut corners, including heavy use of CGI. One scene involving some flames and another entire shot involving a Ford Crown Victoria (the most ubiquitous of all movie cop cars) and two fire trucks were all composed with pretty obvious CGI.
The film averaged only about two weeks in theaters when it was released in September of 2021 and only earned $5.2 million domestically (with another million internationally).
I’ve been a fan of Carnahan since this maestro orchestrated Narc, The Grey, and the bombastic Smoking Aces. Perhaps now that filmmaking is somewhat back to normal, Carnahan could have a chance to write and direct something on par with his previous work.
--Eric Beach
