The most simple concepts often result in the best movies. Cop Car is a very good example of that: As the starting point for your story you take a cop car and then think of events that could happen having to do with that car. Writer and director Jon Watts (who will also direct the new Spiderman film) manages to impress with that idea.
The story is about two teenage boys who decide to run away from home. They have been walking for a while and end up in a deserted area where they see an empty cop car. Initially they start challenging each other: “Do you dare to touch it?”, but when they eventually notice there isn’t any actual police around and that the car isn’t locked they keep taking things a few step further, finally starting the car and driving away with it. Shortly after that Sheriff Kretzer (Kevin Bacon) is introduced, who’s the owner of the vehicle. He has a very important reason for getting it back and he doesn’t want his colleagues.
The thing which makes Cop Car such a good movie is that the buildup of it all is perfect. At the start of the movie you don’t care much about the boys, who both seem to be unaware of their surrounding and the consequences of their actions. As you are watching them drive away you start laughing with them.
But as the movie progresses various elements are added which build up tension and making sure you are on the edge of your seat. It does so with relatively few things. Only five actors, a cop car and some empty plains are sufficient. Kevin Bacon is a joy to watch in his role of sheriff who doesn’t exactly follow the roles and who keeps ending up in various (sometimes funny) situations. The movie builds towards a stress inducing climax, after you really need some time to relax again. The world Watts builds here feels realistic, making you feel the impact of what unfolds.
Wow, I’d not heard of this one. Looks like I’m gonna have to check it out!
Yeah, you definitely should Rodney…such an amazing little film.