What’s more fun than watching a buddy cop comedy/action movie? Living it, dude. That’s the premise behind the very funny Let’s Be Cops, coming to Israeli theatres this Thursday, October 9th.
What makes this movie work for me? It had me laughing from the moment I heard the sweet sounds of the Backstreet Boys I Want It That Way, and saw Ryan O’Malley (Jake Johnson) up there trying, miserably, to sing, while guy-pal Justin (Damon Wayans Jr.) sits at their table, seriously embarrassed. Ryan appeals to Justin: “I needed you up there with me.” That opening scene tells me that this is a film that knows all the tropes of its genre, is not going to take itself too seriously, has a keen sense of timing, and a great pop soundtrack. It also has some fine actors.
Ryan and Justin are two guys not quite making it in LA, never living up to the promise of their youthful dreams, and just about ready to give up. Following a series of loser moves they end up walking around LA one night in authentic-looking cop uniforms and the look of bewilderment and delight on their faces as they register the reactions of people (women) on the street heralds the mayhem that will soon ensue. The movie feeds on the myth that the clothes make the man. The accompanying fantasy that if you watch enough cop shows, learn the lingo, and wear the outfit, you’re ready to go out and catch bad guys, or at least cop a kiss or two from the ladies, is more than enough to keep the laughs coming.
Predictably, these two are in for far more than they expected and certainly more than they can handle. Directed by Luke Greenfield, the film, however, handles itself well, for the most part refraining from the crudity of the genre. Jake Johnson makes a loveable loser, the kind of guy whose rough exterior and crazy ways foreshadows the true delusionary within. He’s a dreamer, with little or no connection to reality, responsibility and consequences – and the result is hilarious. Similar to his role in the excellent Safety Not Guaranteed, Johnson brings a vulnerability and warmth to an otherwise obnoxious, lowest-common-denominator kind of guy.
Likewise, Damon Wayans Jr. provides excellent counterpoint as Justin, the more reluctant, level-headed guy, who inevitably gets dragged into the heavy duty, action-packed, danger. If it’s bad guy appeal you’re after, you too can look (almost) like villain Mossi (James D’Arcy) in the appropriate outfit – nice product placement there for Venum. For a very special treat, the film offers Andy Garcia, to show us all how it’s really done.
Just as the premise has been played out for about all the laughs it can get, the action starts and it gets pretty suspenseful for a nice change of pace.
But dudes, don’t try this at home. Leave the cop uniforms alone, it’s a lot safer, and probably more fun, to watch the movie instead.
Let’s Be Cops
Directed by Luke Greenfield; Screenplay: Luke Greenfield, Nicholas Thomas; Cinematography: Daryn Okada; Editing: Jonathan Schwartz, Bill Pankow; Music: Christophe Beck, Jake Monaco; Music supervisor: John Houlihan; Cast: Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle, Nina Dobrev, James D’Arcy, Keegan-Michael Key, Andy Garcia.
