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Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Peter Berg ... see more see more... , Janeane Garofalo , Robert Patrick , Michael Rapaport , Cathy Moriarty , Annabella Sciorra , Noah Emmerich , Deborah Harry , John Spencer , Frank Vincent , Arthur J. Nascarella , Malik Yoba

The second film from writer/director James Mangold, the corruption drama Cop Land stars Sylvester Stallone as Freddy Heflin, the much-denigrated sheriff of tiny Garrison, NJ, a community which -- than... read more read more...ks to a technicality -- is populated almost entirely by members of the New York City Police Department. When young cop Murray "Superboy" Babitch (Michael Rapaport) becomes embroiled in a controversial shoot-out which leaves two black youths dead, he apparently commits suicide rather than face the wrath of an official investigation. In reality, however, he flees to safety back home in Garrison. In the wake of the controversial events, NYPD Internal Affairs lieutenant Moe Tilden (Robert De Niro) arrives in Garrison to uncover the truth, attempting to enlist Freddy to help watch the watchmen, including Superboy's uncle, veteran cop Ray Donlan (Harvey Keitel); coked-out Gary Figgis (Ray Liotta); and Joey Randone (Peter Berg), the husband of the woman (Annabella Sciorra) Freddy loved and lost. A rich, complex film about redemption, Cop Land's portrayal of Freddy's struggles to prove his worth mirrors Stallone's own return to thoughtful, character-driven drama after years of vacuous action roles. Like Freddy, he faces an uphill battle, fighting for respectability in the face of a superb cast including Janeane Garofalo, Cathy Moriarty, and Paul Calderon. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

Flixster Users

57% liked it

48,478 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

59 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: James Mangold

Release Date: August 15, 1997

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DVD Release Date: July 3, 2001

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Stats: 1,430 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,430)

  • ironclad1609
    March 12, 2012
    ironclad1609
    A fantastic cast gathered for James Mangold's cop thriller about a New Jersey town where police is acting as if above the law. While the local sheriff is used to not asking too many questions and getting underestimated by the New York cops a dramatic turn of events may finally fo... read morerce him to step up and not look away anymore. This is definitely Stallone's strongest performance of his career. His Freddy Heflin is a kind-hearted man, brave but also without any self-confidence. As things get more and more dire, he knows what's right, even if that means he is fighting a war on his own. The rest of the cast is just as excellent, the direction flawless and even though the movie has almost no action, the tension rises with every minute. An exciting, realistic and ultimately just thriller that shows it's never too late to do the right thing.
  • skactopus
    December 26, 2011
    skactopus
    Cop Land is the result of James Mangold placing Sylvester Stallone as a lead in a crime drama. That may not sound fun, but it turns out for the best.

    Clocking in at around 105 minutes, the film's plot trudges along at a snail's pace. While this should point to inactivi

    ... read morety and boredom, it is the combination of story and characters that actually keep this picture afloat.

    Cops, the mob, and Sylvester Stallone. Believe it or not, but this film has very little in the way of action, and what little there is isn't exploding off the screen in anyway. Not to worry because the concept of corrupt cops running a town turns into a successful screenplay.

    With the story containing a variety of characters, the cast is made up of recognizable faces to fill those shoes. Sylvester Stallone goes out of shape for his role, while Ray Liotta swears it up all over the place. Robert De Niro contributes with his piece as well.

    The success of Cop Land lies with its cast members and its calm and subtle storytelling; a good viewing for a crime drama.
  • allan913
    March 27, 2011
    allan913
    A pure exhilerating knockout. A utterly powerful and white knuckeld thriller. A gritty, tense, scorching, explosive, remarkable and electrifying movie. The all-star cast is outstanding, every one of them deliver such force and dedication to their roles. It's safe to say the film ... read moreis as good as it's cast. Sylvester Stallone is riveting, he turns in one of his best performances since Rocky. Stallone does something new and extreamly compelling here, it should be seen. Harvey Kietel is teriffic. Ray Liotta is explosive. A film that cant be beat. Unforgettable and incrediable. A thrilling and relentlessly exciting film lots of action, suspense and drama. An edge of your seat film from begining to end.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    August 18, 2010
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Pretty good bad cops good cops movie! I thought the story was sufficient enough to carry this movie till the end. As we can see noone is above the law specially cops, you pay for what you do!!!

    Sometime in the 1970's, police officers from New York wanted a safe haven to live, ... read moreaway from the dangers of the streets of New York, this is when they established a "Cop Land" in the small New Jersey town of Garrison. Freddy Heflin who was always admired by the New York cops wanted to become one, but because he was deaf in one ear this prevents him from achieving his goal, but has become sheriff of Garrison. Recently there have been a dark omen surrounding the New York cops, and Freddy is now investigating on this case, then Internal Affairs officer Mo Tilden is also on the case and asks Freddy for help, but Freddy could not. Now Freddy suspects that a New York cop named Ray Donlan might be one of the many cops who is corrupted by the mob and other criminals. Now, Freddy must find a cop who is nicknamed "Superboy" who can testify against Donlan and protect him, before Donlan finds super boy and kills him.
  • ythelastman89
    May 3, 2010
    ythelastman89
    For me, Cop Land has always been an under-appreciated classic. In many ways it pulls together a cast and plot that rivals Scorsese, but also knows how to be a great action movie inside the Crime genre. Mentioning every cast member and singing their praises individually would be p... read moreointless, they're all amazing in this. Everyone was on top form and it really shows. The characters make sense and the corruption of the NYPD is done in a believable way, not like some outlandish gimmick. If you're looking for a powerhouse movie, there is nothing as fun as this.
  • puffchunk
    February 12, 2010
    puffchunk
    I'd like to see a movie where Robert Patrick ISN'T a bad guy. I like that Stallone was a slobby bum for most of the movie. And that Ray Liotta screamed a lot. All the good stuff you need for a crooked cop movie.
  • 76Majikat
    November 22, 2009
    76Majikat
    Good to see Stallone doing a more believable role. Wasn?t this the film, where they had to cut a scene, because it showed Stallone?s belly and they thought audiences would be too appalled by it? Due to his putting on weight for the role.

    Quite a huge star cast, good cops, ... read morebad cops, corruption, internal affairs, The Mob ? probably not as exciting as this cast should be able to bring to the table, but none the less an interesting tale and certainly worthy of watching.
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    Drags a bit and considering the cast, you would expect more! Stallone & Liotta are good though!
  • deano
    September 6, 2009
    deano
    James Mangold's moody direction is better than his plot, but this remains a noteworthy stretch for an actor trying to leave Rocky and Rambo behind.
  • MizturY0da
    May 28, 2009
    MizturY0da
    boring

View All Cop Land Reviews

Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman
April 9, 2008
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Mangold certainly knew what he was doing when he cast Keitel and De Niro. Full Review

David Edelstein
April 9, 2008
David Edelstein, Slate

Cop Land shares its leading man's slow-wittedness, but also his likability. Full Review

Jack Kroll
April 9, 2008
Jack Kroll, Newsweek

Mangold is something of a pseudo-Scorsese. Full Review

Paul Tatara
April 9, 2008
Paul Tatara, CNN.com

It's pretty funny, actually, that Stallone gained 40 pounds to play this role, and what the movie needs more than anything else is to eat a salad and do some sit-ups. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
April 9, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Although too simplistic in its good-guys/bad-guys approach to morally and emotionally ambiguous material, Cop Land emerges as an absorbing and dramatic yarn about exposing the evil doings of some of N... Full Review

April 9, 2008
Hollywood Reporter

A solidly entertaining drama that stays true to the independent spirit of its filmmakers

Stephen Hunter
April 9, 2008
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

At its heart, the movie has a good story to tell: the lumbering oaf who's not nearly as stupid and not nearly as gutless as all the hot dogs from the big city think. Full Review

Lisa Alspector
April 9, 2008
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader

The movie's no roller-coaster ride, but there isn't a boring moment either. Full Review

Rick Groen
April 12, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

This is a good filmthat could have been great if not for an act of well-intentioned, but misguided casting. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Nearly down for the count in the movie ring, Stallone isn't just back in the fight. He's a winner.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Cop Land Trivia

  • An ambitious small-town sheriff, held back by a hearing impairment, takes a lone stand against the Big-City cops from across the bridge when police corruption and violence spill onto his sleepy surburban patch???  Answer »
  • (As of today's date 07*05*07) Which Actor/Actress is expected to be in all the following upcoming movies? Starship Dave NoWhere Land Beverly Hills Cop IV Shrek Ever After  Answer »
  • Who plays the role of 'Superboy' in the movie Cop Land?  Answer »
  • What was Ray Liotta's character called in "Cop Land"?  Answer »
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