This police drama was a real change of pace for Sylvester Stallone, who appears in a touching role as Freddy Heflin – an out-of-shape New Jersey sheriff with a hearing disability and zero self-esteem, patrolling the township of Garrison, a community of New York City cops.
Stallone gives his all (including a dramatic weight gain for the role) as his character uncovers corruption among his major league police friends, and is easily the match of a terrific cast, which includes Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel and a really nasty Ray Liotta.
Writer/director James Mangold’s urban western succumbs to a few clumsy contrivances, but the quality of the acting, the evocative score (by Howard Shore) and the film’s riveting climax are recommendation enough.
Sheriff Freddy Heflin
Sylvester Stallone
Moe Tilden
Robert De Niro
Ray Donlan
Harvey Keitel
Gary Figgis
Ray Liotta
Joey Randone
Peter Berg
Deputy Cindy Betts
Janeane Garofalo
Jack Rucker
Robert Patrick
Murray Babitch
Michael Rapaport
Liz Randone
Annabella Sciorra
Deputy Bill Gelster
Noah Emmerich
Rose Donlan
Cathy Moriarty
Joe Crasky
John Spencer
PDA President Lassaro
Frank Vincent
Frank Lagonda
Arthur Nascarella
Berta
Edie Falco
Hector
Paul Calderon
Delores
Deborah Harry
Officer B
Robert Burke
Shondel
Method Man
Toy Torillo
Tony Sirico
Director
James Mangold
