Director Danny Abeckaser continues to explore the actual crime and mob genre in his ninth film, “Mob Cops,” from Lionsgate, which reunites him with screenwriter Kosta Kondilopoulos. If you follow my writings, then you know I’m a sucker for a true story.
Now, I considered the film’s low budget, but the potential for Mob Cops to deliver a raw and powerful crime drama was there. Sadly, it remains unrealized as it merely amounts to a less-than-successful blend of superior films. The film presents itself as a gripping investigation into corrupt NYPD practices but delivers an overstuffed melodrama filled with trite dialogue and characters lacking depth.
The storyline about a retired NYPD detective exposing his family’s connections to the mob appears fascinating when examined as an idea. Unfortunately, the execution is anything but. The script relies too heavily on the worn-out “good cops versus bad cops” storyline, resulting in underdeveloped human drama. All characters come across as flat and generic as those from a terrible 1990s police drama.
The film fails to maintain consistent pacing during its under ninety-minute runtime because it alternates between lengthy monologues and exaggerated shootouts that appear more like audience wake-up calls than story elements. The film attempts to manage multiple storylines, including family betrayal and mob wars, but fails to deliver a fulfilling resolution for any of them.
Even the performances can’t rescue this film, despite the presence of recognizable genre actors like David Arquette. Joseph Russo and Jeremy Luke, among others, pour their hearts into their roles, but even the most talented performers would find it challenging to breathe life into such uninspired dialogue. Additionally, it irks me when promotional artwork prominently showcases an actor, only for them to appear in a mere one or two scenes. In “Mob Cops,” this unfortunate trend is exemplified by Kevin Connolly, who seems to have taken the role purely for a paycheck.
When the film ends, Mob Cops transforms from an intense thriller into a missed opportunity. The film sets its sights on becoming “The Departed” or “Serpico” but resembles a Lifetime movie mixed with an “SNL” parody of “The Sopranos.”
Final Grade: D+
“Mob Cops” IS IN THEATERS, ON DEMAND AND DIGITAL APRIL 25, 2025
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