10 Greatest Ray Liotta Movies - Ranked

If Ray Liotta had a specialty, it was playing men on the edge of meltdown, pushing themselves on through mounting pressure. In Narc, he’s given one of his career best showcases, co-starring alongside Jason Patric as Lieutenant Henry Oak.

Oak is a cop on the edge to say the least. He’s partnered with Patric’s Nick Tellis when the latter is tasked to investigate the death of a cop with whom Oak was close. From the moment their paths cross, it’s clear that Oak is a man with unorthodox policing methods, and more than a few skeletons in his closet.

Liotta takes what could be a well-worn character - the cop who does things his own way but gets results, damn it! - and injects depth, world weariness, and intensity. He’s a man who has become one with the streets he polices, but who still feels the toll of the job, still invests himself fully in those he’s sworn to protect.

Joe Carnahan’s film is gritty and serious, and it’s Liota who gives it the charisma and energy to rise above standard mercurial copper fare.