WFG RATING: B

Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment Group present a Wild7Films/IAG/LBI Entertainment production in association with Luber Roklin Entertainment, Innovative Artists, and Zero Gravity Management. Directed by Danny A. Abeckaser. Produced by Danny C. Abeckaser, Kyle Stefanski, Gustavo Nascimento, and John Powers Middleton. Written by Kosti Kondilopoulos. Cinematography by Barry Markowitz. Edited by Steven Ansell.

Stars David Arquette, Jeremy Luke, Danny A Abeckaser, Joseph Russo, Nathaniel Buzolic, Bo Dietl, Kevin Connolly, Rick Salomon, Lynn Adrianna Freedman, Lorenzo Antonucci, Hunter Daily, and Deborah Geffner. 

The true story of what’s considered the worst case of corruption in the New York Police Department comes off like a mini-Scorsese movie. 

In the midst of the 1980s, NYPD detectives Leo Benetti and Sammy Canzano were working as associates and hitmen for the Galiano Family. Meanwhile, Tim Delgado, a fellow detective, has suspected both Benetti and Canzano’s ties for a while. Especially when it is revealed that a young up and comer, Josh Hughes, has gone missing. Tim makes a promise to Josh’s mother that he will somehow find Josh and also bring Benetti and Canzano to justice. 

As Benetti and Canzano continue their dirty work for the mob, Benetti begins to feel a bit uneasy due to how much he and his partner are getting. They attempt to make a deal with the “family” and despite reservations, they ultimately get a piece of the action. However, as time passes, things soon and finally come to a head when a retried Benetti decides to write a book about his career working for the mob and lives will be forever changed. 

Based on an infamous case that revolved around former NYPD officers Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa in 2005, the latest film from Danny A. Abeckaser is not a bad film. However, when compared to epics like Goodfellas and Casino, it is as if the film is trying to be a somewhat mini-Scorsese film. Don’t get me wrong. The story is quite intriguing and if there is a flaw in the system, it is that some of the performances from more of the supporting characters seem too forced and at times, more funny than convincing. Funny how? Yes, you get the picture.

David Arquette and Jeremy Luke definitely make the most of their roles as the titular “Mob Cops”, Steven Canzano (Caracappa) and Leo Bendetti (Eppolitto). It is great to see Arquette pla straight here as the sometimes reluctant partner of the more outspoken Bendetti. Luke has this look and performance that could be best described as a “modern day” Edward G. Robinson. As for the cop who tries to bring them to justice, director Abeckaser shows that he can work well both in front and behind the cameras. 

Aside from these three, there are some very emotional performances, notably from Deborah Geffner as the long suffering mother of missing cop Josh and Bo Dietl as Sherman, an incarcerated prisoner who helps Delgado while in prison turn informant to get the beef on our mob cops. However, the same can’t be said for Sherman’s partner Galiano, played by an over-the-top Joseph Russo. In what will be a hilarious rather than serious exchange, his reactions to the cops wanting more of a piece of the action results in some one-liners that even Joe Pesci will question, “what the f**” and “is this supposed to be serious? Serious how?” 

Regardless of the flaws, Mob Cops is not that bad of a film. With some great performances by David Arquette and especially Jeremy Luke, this is definitely a film in the vein of Martin Scorsese’s work and can be seen somewhat as a “mini-Scorsese” epic. 

The film will be released in select theaters, On Demand, and Digital on April 25.