This movie deals with and explores law enforcement. At the heart of it is BOA- Buitengewoon Opsporingsambtenaar, a Dutch concept of a community enforcement officer who isn’t exactly a cop but also not a civilian. This role is played by Ramon (Jandino Asporaat), a well-natured man who agrees to take up the job. He does everything- from ticketing dog owners to telling teens the difference between right and wrong. However, things change when his brother Kevin, who was an actual police detective, is killed while conducting a drug investigation. This is when Jack (Werner Kolf) enters. Jack is forced to do BOA duties and was once a partner with Kevin.
Now, with Jack teaming up with Ramon, the story is a classic case of good buddy, bad buddy. One is a strict cop while the other doesn’t care much. Together, this team stumbles upon some connections that are connected to Kevin’s murder. We get to see illegal busts and stakeouts with humor and seriousness both.
While you may think that because of Kevin, the movie is supposed to be a serious one, that doesn’t happen. We witness absurd demands from hostage takers, like asking for a chopper to the Bahamas. And that’s what the film relies on, it never really says or pretends to be a serious as the title suggests. But that doesn’t mean that it lacks depth. Ramon is in a constant quest to honor his brother’s legacy.
The cast of the film- Jandino Asporaat and Werner Kolf do justice to their roles through great chemistry and impeccable comic timing. Adding to their charm, even the supporting cast comprising Ergun Simsek and Juliette van Ardenne, and Florence Vos Weeda, adds that spontaneity to the screenplay. They don’t look extra and contribute to the charm of the film.
The credits for this also go to the director of the film-Gonzalo Fernandez Carmona. He ensures that the movie remains energetic and fun throughout. Also, the pacing makes it even better. You don’t feel bored while watching it. Let’s not forget the scriptwriters, too, since they are the real heroes in providing us with a good watch. It is through the script that we get to know a lot about the Dutch culture and their country. It doesn’t go over the top to showcase us or prove us. And I will admit, I never knew the concept of BOA until I saw this movie.
However might not be very visually appealing to watch. But that hardly matters to us. It’s the characters and the plots that make it worth a watch. And that we are served nicely here. So, for a quick weekend watch, Almost Cops is worth it. It serves your dose of humor and doesn’t last very long, or in short, feels dragging. For an offbeat cop drama, it hits the notes well.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times